(Communicated by the Foreign Minister's Bureau)

In response to the terror attack at the Jewish Museum in Brussels, Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman said:

"The terror attack in the Jewish Museum in Brussels, in which four innocent people were killed, is the result of anti-Israeli and antisemitic incitement, expressed, among others, in the call to boycott Israel and Israeli products, as well as in anti-Israeli activity in international forums and the adoption of an automatic, unilateral anti-Israeli position.

In the course of history, antisemitism has taken many forms, but the basis is always the same: hatred of Jews only because they are Jews, wherever they may be - whether they live in Jerusalem, in Tel Aviv, in Ariel, in Hebron, in Brussels, or on Mars.

Therefore, the so-called "pro-Palestinian" activity, which, like in those dark days, calls for a boycott of "Jewish goods" and is directed aggressively against the only democracy in the Middle East, is - pure and simple - antisemitism, and not part of a legitimate political debate over a territorial dispute, like those found in many parts of the world.

The recent antisemitic events in Kansas, Toulouse, and this evening in Brussels constitute a powerful, flashing warning light to all those who, consciously or not, take part in this incitement when, time and time again, they rush to condemn Israel and compare the building of a home for a Jewish family in the land of our forefathers to cruel and murderous acts of terror perpetrated by heinous antisemites and terrorists in Gaza or in Brussels.


(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Saturday, 24 May 2014), strongly condemns the murder that was perpetrated at the Jewish Museum in Brussels and shares in the grief of the families of the victims.

"This act of murder is the result of constant incitement against Jews and their state. Slander and lies against the State of Israel continue to be heard on European soil even as the crimes against humanity and acts of murder being perpetrated in our region are systematically ignored. Our response to this hypocrisy is to constantly state the truth, continue a relentless fight against terrorism and build up our strength," the Prime Minister said.


(Communicated by the Office of the President)

President Shimon Peres, this morning (Sunday, 25 May 2014), spoke with Mr. Maurice Sosnowski, President of the Coordinating Committee of Belgian Jewish Organizations, and expressed his condolences to the community: "We are with you in this difficult time. We share your sense of shock and profound sadness. If there is anything that we can do, please do not hesitate to contact me directly. Our heart is with you, the families and the community. Please convey my condolences to the entire community."

President Peres called upon European leaders to take action against any form of anti-semitism and said, "We must act without hesitation against any form of anti-semitism. The leaders of Europe should lead the struggle against anti-semitism, which is rearing its head across the continent."