NYC COUNCILMAN STEPHEN LEVIN:

“I am absolutely shocked and heartbroken by the horrendous murder of four fathers as they prayed in Jerusalem today. These were attacks against innocent and peaceful civilians and only a truly heartless individual would perpetrate such hateful attacks. It is my hope that all people of good will will stand together in condemnation of the murder of these innocent civilians and the hate that inspired it. My deepest thoughts and prayers are with the family members of the victims.”

US SENATOR CORY BOOKER:

“I am saddened and angered by the senseless and gruesome acts of terror that took place early this morning in Jerusalem. A day meant to start in worship and prayer turned into a nightmare for innocent worshipers. I denounce these attacks and call upon the Palestinian leadership to press for restraint and begin the necessary measures to ensure there is no more incitement of violence. My prayers and condolences are with the families who lost their loved ones today in this abhorrent tragedy.”

NYC COUNCILMAN CHAIM DEUTSCH:

“I am horrified at the despicable act of terror inflicted on Jewish worshippers in a synagogue this morning in Jerusalem and I join with my colleagues in government in condemning it. I extend my prayers to the families and friends of the four victims of this heinous incident.

This attack is a stark reminder that synagogues and yeshivas in New York City are vulnerable to violence. I thank Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Bratton for their swift response to this morning’s tragedy in assigning extra NYPD security to local synagogues. We must continue to remain vigilant in protecting our community. When leaders call for heightened security due to terrorist threats, parents’ first concern is what measures are being taken to protect their children. This incident demonstrates that all non-public schools, and in light of today’s events, yeshivas in particular, should be assigned NYPD School Safety officers. To this end, as the Chair of the New York City Council’s Non Public Schools sub-committee, I plan to advocate for the legislation that will require the NYPD to assign a School Safety officer to every non-public school. All children, no matter what school they attend, deserve to have equal protection and security.”

NYC COUNCILMAN MARK TREYGER:

“I am disgusted and saddened about the appalling act of terror in Israel that has now claimed five innocent lives. There simply is no room for this type of barbaric behavior in civilized society, and the international community must send a clear message that this will not be tolerated. We must denounce this attack as an egregious act of terror that warrants Israel to take appropriate action to defend herself. I hope that the world will be as vocal in response to these murders as it often is when Israel responds to defend herself and her people.”

QUEENS BORO PRESIDENT MELINDA KATZ:

“I am terribly saddened by the horrific terror attack at a place of worship this morning in Jerusalem. Such acts of senseless violence warrant international condemnation. My deepest condolences and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the victims. I urge for peace abroad and especially here in our city.”

RAMAPO SUPERVISOR:

The following is a statement from Supervisor Christopher P. St. Lawrence of the Town of Ramapo in Rockland County concerning today’s terror attack in a Jerusalem synagogue that killed four individuals and wounded several others:

Today’s horrific attack in a Jerusalem synagogue was a cowardly and deplorable act of terror that should shock the conscience of the entire civilized world. This gruesome and repugnant act of violence aimed at innocent civilians who were engaged in prayer in a House of Worship is a stark and scary reminder that terrorism can strike at any time and in any place. The gruesome images of unimaginable carnage and bloodstained prayer shawls should leave an indelible mark on our collective psyche as we struggle to come to terms with this heartless and heinous attack.

In light of what has occurred, I have been in touch with local law enforcement, including the Ramapo Police Department and the Rockland County Sheriff’s Department, about target hardening and increasing patrols throughout our town so that we can continue to be proactive in our ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and security of our town residents and the many religious institutions that are located in the Town of Ramapo. Protecting our residents remains a top priority, and we will do whatever is necessary to safeguard them and ensure their well-being.

I extend my thoughts and prayers to the victims’ families as we stand together with the State of Israel in this dark and difficult time.

JEWISH CAUCUS AND NYC COUNCIL SPEAKER MARK-VIVERITO:

“New Yorkers awoke today to the sickening news of a terrorist attack by Palestinians on a Jerusalem synagogue, resulting in the murder of four fathers–three Americans. The victims of this barbaric attack leave behind between them 20 children and 15 grandchildren. We join with leaders from around the world in condemning these murders as an intolerable depravity. Our thoughts and prayers are with the many who were injured, some of whom are fighting for their life.”

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF YOUNG ISRAEL:

The National Council of Young Israel strongly condemns today’s horrific terrorist attack in Har Nof. The ruthless and gruesome murder by Palestinian Arab terrorists of innocent Jews while praying in a synagogue is extraordinarily shocking and extremely difficult to comprehend.

The words of condemnation from the Palestinian Arab leaders ring hollow without meaningful acts to eradicate these types of violent terrorist acts. Persistent incitement on the part of the Palestinian leadership foments and reinforces terrorist activities that are consuming Jerusalem and other areas within Israel. Therefore, the National Council of Young Israel calls upon our government to directly link any future financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority to the cessation of its habitual incitement, both in word and deed. We also call upon the world community to suspend such aid until the acts of incitement cease.

The National Council of Young Israel extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of those who were killed in this terrible terrorist attack and prays for a speedy recovery for all those who were injured at the hands of the terrorists.

May G-d comfort the families of the victims among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

NY ASSEMBLYMAN DOV HIKIND:

With terrible pain we mourn the tragic murder this morning of four kedoshim in Eretz Yisroel. These four innocent martyrs left more than twenty orphans to mourn their senseless loss.

And then there were the many beside them who barely escaped with their lives but were severely injured.

These innocent victims were attacked while praying; attacked while their backs were turned and their heads were bowed in devotion. Their only crime was that they were Jews.

And then the mocking: To see Arabs fill the streets, dancing and giving out candy to children in celebration of barbaric behavior and cold blooded murder.

May the Al-mighty console the bereaved families, protect His people, and strengthen our resolve.

UJA-FEDERATION OF NEW YORK:

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those killed in Jerusalem this morning and pray for the injured. The spilling of our people’s blood in synagogues is reminiscent of the darkest days in our history — and we call on all people of good will around the world to join with us in condemning these brutal and horrific acts of terror. We mourn the loss of life and pray for the end of bloodshed,” said Eric Goldstein, CEO of UJA-Federation of New York

AGUDATH ISRAEL OF AMERICA:

This morning’s barbaric murder in Har Nof, Jerusalem of four Jews has left all caring people reeling – the tears are pouring this morning and our hearts are full of pain.

This vicious attack on people wearing tallis and tefillin and immersed in tefilla is ugly testimony to the depth of evil faced by Jews in Israel and the world over, in the form of brutal terrorists who revel in the killing of innocents.

The celebration of the murders in Gaza and elsewhere reiterates the despicable nature of those who wish the Holy Land to be Judenrein.

When cold-blooded murderers attack a makom Torah u’tefila in the Eretz Ha’kodesh, it is incumbent upon all of us to strengthen ourselves in Torah and tefila on behalf of our dear brethren in the Eretz Ha’kodesh. Imahem anachnu b’tzara.

We are mispallel that those who were injured in this brutal attack have a refuah shlaimah.

Our hearts go out to the families, particularly the almanos and the 26 innocent yesomim who lost their fathers – true kedoshim, holy men killed because they were Jews, who died with Jewish prayers on their lips.

May the families of the murdered, Rabbi Moshe Twersky, hy”d, Rabbi Kalman Levine, hy”d; Rabbi Aryeh Kupinsky, hy”d, and Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Goldberg, hy”d, be comforted amid the mourners of Tzion v’Yrushalayim.

U.S. REP-ELECT KATHLEEN RICE:

“I’m appalled by the terrorist attack in Jerusalem today that killed four innocent men — three of them dual U.S.-Israeli citizens — while they were worshipping in a synagogue. This bloodshed cannot continue. I offer my prayers to the families of the deceased, and I stand in complete solidarity with the city of Jerusalem and the state of Israel during this trying time.”

NYC COUNCILMAN DAVID GREENFIELD:

“When I saw the news that four people were killed in a Jerusalem synagogue by Palestinians, I was in shock. Shocked that anyone could be so brutal to murder these worshipers during their prayers, shocked at the gruesome way they were executed, shocked at the celebrations in Gaza over the death of these innocents, shocked that this Palestinian terrorism violence continues to fester in Israel – a land of peace,” said Councilman David Greenfield.

“The one thing that was not shocking is that the terrorist organization Hamas applauded these vicious murders. The international community must stand up and put an end to the blood-thirsty Hamas-led government of Gaza. Today’s murders were more vicious than any killings to date by ISIS. ISIS, Hamas and their supporters are poisonous fruits from the very same Islamic terrorist tree that must be cut down.”

BROOKLYN BORO PRESIDENT ERIC ADAMS:

“Brooklyn mourns the loss of life resulting from today’s terror attack in Jerusalem, and I personally condemn those individuals responsible for this most inhuman brutality. Violence anywhere is unacceptable everywhere. The international community must stand united in demanding the security of innocent civilians. I have faith in the NYPD that they will ensure the safety of all New Yorkers, regardless of their background, in the wake of these events.”

U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA:

“I strongly condemn today’s terrorist attack on worshipers at a synagogue in Jerusalem, which killed four innocent people, including U.S. citizens Aryeh Kupinsky, Cary William Levine, and Mosheh Twersky, and injured several more. There is and can be no justification for such attacks against innocent civilians. The thoughts and prayers of the American people are with the victims and families of all those who were killed and injured in this horrific attack and in other recent violence. At this sensitive moment in Jerusalem, it is all the more important for Israeli and Palestinian leaders and ordinary citizens to work cooperatively together to lower tensions, reject violence, and seek a path forward towards peace.”

NYC COMPTROLLER SCOTT M. STRINGER:

The brutal terrorist attack inside an Israeli synagogue is a despicable crime that has no place in any civilized society. A place of prayer is sacred and those who are ultimately responsible for this atrocity must be brought to justice. My thoughts are with the families of the victims, and I stand with them, along with the people of Israel and New York City, as we mourn this tragic, unspeakable loss.

U.S SENATOR SCHUMER:

“These outrageous murders are caused by the reckless incitement, not only of Hamas, but of Mr. Abbas and the Palestinian Authority; they are co-conspirators in the murder of these four religious teachers and rabbis. Their dishonest inciting of Palestinians is resulting in the death of innocent people, and it must stop. While Mr. Abbas has condemned this appalling act of hate, he must take immediate action to de-escalate the dangerous polarization.”

ORTHODOX UNION AND RABBINICAL COUNCIL OF AMERICA:

“We absolutely condemn — and call upon all people of good will to condemn — this heinous attack against the “Kehilat Yaakov” synagogue in Har Nof. Targeting innocent civilians during their morning prayers reflects a complete and utter disregard for the sanctity of life and religion. By desecrating and violating one synagogue, these terrorists have desecrated and violated all synagogues; indeed every place of worship.

“We express our deepest condolences to the families of Rabbi Aryeh Kupinsky, Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Goldberg, Rabbi Kalman Levine and Rabbi Moshe Twersky, and particularly to more than two-dozen orphans who have lost their beloved fathers. The lives of others were spared, including two police officers, but some sustained serious injuries; we pray for each to merit a speedy and complete recovery.”

May God comfort the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

NEW YORK GOVERNOR ANDREW M. CUOMO:

“I am deeply saddened to learn of this morning’s horrific terror attack at a synagogue in Jerusalem. This attack was a deplorable act of evil that should be denounced as such by all – regardless of their political or religious beliefs. I want to reiterate that friends stand together in times of crisis. Today New York joins with all of Israel as they mourn those that were lost. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our Israeli friends.”

U.S. SENATOR GILLIBRAND:

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement today in response to the murder of four rabbis who were worshipping in a synagogue in Jerusalem:

“This massacre in a house of worship while innocent people prayed is absolutely horrifying and unconscionable. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who were killed and injured. Those responsible for these heinous and cold-blooded murders must be held accountable.”

NYC MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO:

Mayor Bill de Blasio released the following statement regarding today’s terror attack in Jerusalem and the increased NYPD presence at key locations in New York City:

“I am horrified and heartbroken by today’s terror attack in Jerusalem, which took the innocent lives of four people. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families. New York City stands in solidarity with Israel at this difficult time, and we hope and pray for a peaceful and secure future for all of its people.‎
“The NYPD is in close contact with its liaison post in Israel. We have increased our police presence at synagogues and other key locations around the city. As always, we ask New Yorkers to stay alert and immediately report any suspicious activity.”

NY SENATOR SIMCHA FELDER:

I am speechless with shock at this morning’s despicable attack in a Jerusalem synagogue, in which four were killed, three Americans and one Briton. Six were wounded. The worshippers were wrapped in prayer shawls, armed with prayer books; versus the attackers armed with meat cleavers and a gun.This act of bloody barbarism, in a house of worship during prayers, has reached a new low, even for the terrorists. People feel threatened, their unspoken thought: If Arab hatred is so out of bounds, can it happen here?

As your State Senator I have been contacted early this morning by NYPD officials, and been ensured that security is being heightened in our neighborhoods. Representatives from the Police Commissioner’s office further stated that surveillance will especially be stepped up around synagogues. The police are on top of this, and, with G-D’s help, will be using all measures at their disposal to protect our community. We must continue to have faith and keep calm.

Our hearts are grieving and our thoughts are with our brothers and sisters in Israel, and the entire Klal Yisroel. May Hashem comfort all the mourners, heal Klal Yisroel and keep us all safe.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)