Netanyahu: Israel is committed to fighting hatred of Jews
Prime minister condemns murder of three in Kansas City Jewish centers, sends condolences to victims' families.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent his condolences Monday to the families of the victims in the shootings outside a Jewish community center and a retirement village in Overland Park.
"We are condemning the murder which according to all signs was committed because of hatred of Jews," Netanyahu said in a statement. "The state of Israel ... together with all civilized peoples is committed to fighting against this plague."
US President Barack Obama also offered his condolences to the families of the victims of the shootings.
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"No one should ever have to fear for their safety when they go to pray," Obama said during an Easter prayer breakfast at the White House. He vowed that the government would provide whatever is needed to support the investigation and urged Americans to stand united against "religious-based" violence.
"It has no place in our society," he added.
Three people were killed Sunday when a gunman opened fire on a Jewish community center and Jewish retirement complex near Kansas City. The man accused in the shooting is a well-known white supremacist and former Ku Klux Klan leader who was once the subject of a nationwide manhunt. Officials were investigating the attack as a hate crime, although two of the victims, a man and his grandson, were not Jewish and were at the community center for a singing competition, relatives said.
Obama said the fact that the attack came as prepare to celebrate Passover and Christians prepare for Easter makes the tragedy "all the more painful."
US Ambassador to Israel, Dan Shapiro, wished "Refuah Shlemah" ("get well soon") to those wounded in the shooting.
"My heart goes out to the families of the victims, to the wounded, and to the whole community as it prepares for a heartbreaking Pesach," he said.
