Sharon condemns Shilo shooting attack
Prime minister talks with defense establishment heads, says he views Shilo shooting attack with great severity; Yesha Council heads issue statement condemning attack
Sharon condemned the “twisted mindset that believes such acts would stop the disengagement.”
The Yesha Council also condemned the attack and issued a statement saying, "A murder is a murder."
Victim of Shilo attack being led to hospital (Photo: Haim Tzach)
"We are deeply saddened that during such a sensitive and difficult time for our nation, when people are being expelled from their homes, the weak of mind find an outlet for their emotions with such a crazy act," the statement said.
In addition, the secretariat of the West Bank settlement of Shvut Rachel, home of the Jewish terrorist, said in a statement, “We do not know the reason for this act. The resident (Weissgan) worked with the Palestinians for years, and relations were good.”
“We are all stunned. We are against any attacks against innocent people,” the statement said.
A 33-year-old resident of Shvut Rachel told Ynet, “I know the (Weissgan) family well. He is a married man with two children. This was completely unexpected.”
“This is a nice, calm settlement comprised of young families. We are all in shock. They really are a nice family,” she said.
'Attack is against Jewish morals'
Knesset Member Talab El-Sana (United Arab List) blamed the Israeli government for the “Vile acts of terrorist settlers.”
“The murderous settlers must be disarmed immediately to protect the Palestinians,” he said.
“This incident also points out the need to dismantle the West Bank settlements, as they endanger the cease-fire. The settlers are the main enemy of peace.”
Jewish Knesset members staunchly condemned the attack as well.
Shaul Yahalom (National Religious Party) said, “This is a non-Jewish act that will only bring about hatred between the two nations. Those who believe that by killing innocent Arabs they would be able to change government policy are fools.”
Interior Minister Ophir Paz-Pines said angrily, “Those who feared the evacuation would take place under Palestinian fire got another shameful case of murderous Jewish terror, which has struck twice in the past two weeks.”
“These recurring incidents obligate the security establishment to reevaluate its conduct regarding the Jewish extremists and their habitats,” he said.
Israel’s Chief Ashkenaz Rabbi Yona Metzger said, “I condemn in the strongest possible terms this criminal act, which goes against Jewish morals left to us by our forefathers in the holy Torah.”
“No one has the right to erase the words ‘do not murder’ from the Torah, and there is no justification for such acts,” he said.
- Moran Zelikovich contributed to the report
