Statement by AIPAC on the situation in Israel

Terrorist attacks are on the rise.

• On Nov. 18, two Palestinians armed with knives, axes and guns attacked a Jerusalem synagogue during morning prayers, killing four Israelis. Three of the victims were dual U.S.-Israeli citizens.

• While [Palestinian President Mahmoud] Abbas issued a statement condemning the attack, he also demanded an “end to invasions of Al-Aqsa Mosque.” Tawfiq Tirawi, a Fatah Central Committee member, justified the attack as “a reaction to the recent crimes of the occupation…”

• Separate Palestinian car-ramming attacks on Oct. 22 and Nov. 5 killed four Israelis and wounded at least 23. Abbas’ advisor Sultan Abu Al-Einein praised the driver responsible for the death of a three-month old dual U.S.-Israeli citizen.

• On Oct. 29, a Palestinian terrorist gunned down Rabbi Yehuda Glick, an advocate for Jewish access to the Temple Mount and dual U.S.-Israeli citizen in a drive-by shooting in Jerusalem. After the terrorist responsible for the attack was killed in a firefight with Israeli forces, Abbas sent a condolence letter to his family calling him a “martyr.”

• Palestinian terrorists also carried out two separate stabbing attacks on Nov. 10, killing two Israelis and injuring several others.

Attacks follow new incitement by Abbas and his Fatah party

• In an address to the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 26, Abbas perpetuated the vicious lie that Israel committed genocide against the Palestinian people. He accused Israel of “war crimes” and called on Palestinians to “resist” and to fight against Israel.

• Abbas elevated his anti-Israel rhetoric on Oct. 17 when he called on Palestinians to prevent Israeli “settlers” from entering the Temple Mount “by any means.” The PA president incited Palestinians to violence, saying, “We must prevent them from entering the Noble Sanctuary in any way. … We must confront them and defend our holy sites.”