President Rivlin visits Mumbai Chabad House hit by 2008 terror attack
Capping off his week-long trip to India, President Reuven Rivlin visited the Chabad House in Mumbai that was the scene of a 2008 terror attack which killed six people, including the couple who ran the house; 'The values of democracy and our freedom will be defended with all our might.'
The ceremony was attended by the Governor of Maharashtra, Chennamanei Vidyasager Rao, as well as local government officials, representatives of India's Jewish Community and members of the business delegation accompanying Rivlin on his visit. The ceremony was conducted by the Consul General in India, David Akov.
In response to the attacks that killed 166 people, including six people at Mumbai's Chabad House, President Rivlin said, "Eight years ago this wonderful city suffered one of the most serious, cruel and murderous attacks we know of. Unfortunately, Indians, like Israelis, know all too well the modern realities of global terrorism. Terror is terror wherever it strikes in the world. Hatred, fundamentalism, extremism and incitement are all reflective of one thing—terrorism.
"As we stand here, we are saying that terrorism will never win," added Rivlin. "The values of democracy and our freedom will be defended with all our might. However, we should not rely solely on values and words, we must work together to share knowledge and practices to guard our citizens, our borders and our cities. India and Israel are side by side in this battle. It is our duty to the victims and the coming generations."
Following the ceremony and meetings with the governor of Maharashtra, President Rivlin continued on to the Chabad House in Mumbai to lay a wreath in honor of the six victims: Rabbi Gabriel Holzberg and his wife, Rivka Holzberg, Benzion Kroman, Aryeh Teitelbaum, Yocheved Orpaz and Norma Rabinowitz.
The President and his wife Nehama met with Moishe Holzberg, the son of Rabbi Gabriel and Rivka Holzberg, who were murdered in the attack. During the attack, Moishe fled the shooting and made it to his nanny on the third floor, who protected him until it was over.
During Moishe's visit with his grandfather to India, Rivlin commented, "When I saw Moishe, I couldn't help but think 'Am Yisrael Chai.' Now, here, at this Chabad House, which serves as a warm place for Jews on a daily basis, I think the same thing. Am Yisrael Chai, we will defeat terror."
