New York – In response to Hamas’s rejection of an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire that was accepted by Israel, and the continuous barrage of rocket attacks directed at Israeli civilians, the Rabbinical Assembly issued the following statement.
Rabbi Julie Schonfeld, Executive Vice President, writing from a solidarity mission in Israel, stated:
The Israeli government must fulfill its obligation to defend its citizens against over 1,000 unprovoked rocket attacks that aim to kill or harm innocent civilians. Whether in concrete shelters that line the streets of Sderot or while treating traumatized children near Haifa, the resilience of the Israeli people is inspiring. Hamas, a terrorist organization, uses its population as a human shield for unprovoked, murderous aggression and is exclusively responsible for the loss of life and suffering sustained in these events. The fact that Israel accepted Egypt’s terms for a ceasefire while its citizens are under siege and running for cover is a testament to its high moral standards and desire to end this conflict.
Rabbi William Gershon, President, added:
For six hours this morning, Israel suspended air strikes against terrorists in Gaza. During that time Hamas fired 50 rockets at Israel. We call on the international community to condemn Hamas’s callous disregard for human life and to impose proper penalties and sanctions for their unacceptable actions.