“I write to you for the
second time in less than two weeks to inform you that yet another citizen of
Israel has been brutally murdered by Palestinian terrorists. Malachi Moshe
Rosenfeld, age 26, was shot and killed while driving home from playing
basketball with his friends, who were also severely injured in the attack, and
remain hospitalized. Malachi had taken responsibility for taking care of his
family after his older brother died in a tragic accident 13 years ago. This
cruel murder is an unbearable tragedy for his family and his community.
In the two weeks since
the beginning of Ramadan, even as Israel has taken steps to facilitate holiday
celebrations, there has been a dramatic increase in attacks against Israelis.
Each day seems to bring with it news of a shooting attack, or a stabbing.
Just yesterday, a terrorist stabbed a 19-year old female soldier next to
Rachel’s Tomb, causing severe injuries. These attacks are a direct result
of incitement by the Palestinian Authority in the media and in its education
system. Even after this latest incident, the leadership of the PA remains
silent, failing to condemn the murder of innocent people.
These attacks are part
of a global surge of terrorism. We have all been witness to the horrific terror
attacks of last week in France, Tunisia, and Kuwait, which you condemned “in
the strongest terms”. We join in your call that “those responsible for these
appalling acts of violence must be swiftly brought to justice” and that “these
heinous attacks will only strengthen the commitment of the United Nations to
help defeat those bent on murder, destruction and the annihilation of human
development and culture”.
I expect you to condemn the terrorist attacks in Israel in an equally
decisive manner. Terror is terror, no matter where it takes place, or who is
harmed. The people of Israel deserve the same level of concern and empathy as
any other people in the world.”