T’ruah condemns today’s terrorist attack on a bus in Jerusalem. There can be no political justification for violence against innocent civilians. This constitutes a clear violation of international human rights law, and ignores all religious prohibitions against attempted murder or harm of a creation in the divine image.
We call on Palestinian leaders to join us in condemning this attack, and for Israeli and Palestinian leaders to commit again to the hard work of pursuing peace, rather than allow our fears to paralyze us. We must both pray and work for a Jerusalem that is safe for all her inhabitants, where all can live together peacefully “and there will be none to make them afraid.” (Micah 4:4)
We pray for complete and speedy healing for all of the wounded. As we prepare to enter the holiday of Pesach, we hope for liberation from violence and hatred.