United States Ambassador to Israel David Friedman paid a condolence visit Monday to the family of Yotam Ovadia who was killed in last week’s stabbing attack in Adam.
“My heart was broken upon seeing the tragic consequence of the killing of Yotam Ovadia,” Friedman said. “A young mother left alone to care for two toddlers, parents mourning their only son. There are no words that can describe the evil and barbarity of this act of terror.”
Friedman was joined in his visit by Chairman of the Yesha Council Hananel Dorani, Head of the Council's External Relations Division Oded Ravivi and Chairman of the Binyamin Regional Council Maoz Begun.
According to the Yesha Council (an umbrella organization of municipal councils of Jewish settlements in the West Bank), this is the first time that an American ambassador has paid an official visit to the West Bank to visit terror victims, signalling a change in official US policy vis-a-vis West Bank settlements .
“I want to express my appreciation to Ambassador Friedman who saw fit to visit the settlement of Adam in Binyamin and comfort the bereaved family,” said Dorani. “This sends an important message to the world regarding strengthening the positive forces and combating the negative forces in the region.
“Terrorism is the common enemy of us all and the firm struggle against it and against incitement is a common goal. This visit encourages and strengthens us in the war against terror. I hope the US government will continue to support Israel and Jewish settlements with brave friendship as the ambassador has shown today,” Dorani concluded.