[VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

Following the horrific shooting attack in a Connecticut elementary school that left close to 30 children and staff dead, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, and President Shimon Peres sent letters of condolence to US President Barak Obama, and released a video statement.

Following is the text of the Netanyahu letter:

“Dear President Obama,

I was shocked and horrified by today’s savage massacre of innocent children and adults at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.

We in Israel have experienced such cruel acts of slaughter and we know the shock and agony they bring.

I want to express my profound grief, and that of all the people in Israel, to the families that lost their loved ones.

May you and the American people find the strength to overcome this unspeakable tragedy.

With my deepest condolences,
(Signed)

Benjamin Netanyahu,

Prime Minister of Israel”

The prime minister also made reference to the attack at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday 3 Teves 5773.

“First, I would like to express my shock and that of the Government of Israel, and – I am sure – that of all Israelis – over the awful massacre that took place at the school in Connecticut send condolences to President Obama, to the bereaved families and to the American people. Who like us in Israel is familiar with massacres of children and innocents? I pray that the families and the American people find the strength to overcome this terrible tragedy.”

Following is the text of the Shimon Peres letter:

Dear President Obama,

On behalf of the people of Israel, as friends and as parents, we stand with you today in contemplation and grief over the atrocious, incomprehensible massacre of 20 children and six adults – educators – at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

No experience with death can be likened to that of a parents’ loss of their child. No crime is more heinous than the killing of a child.

Our hearts are with the bereaved families of the victims, the mourning community in Newtown, Connecticut and the people of the United States of America. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Shimon Peres
President of the State of Israel

Click HERE to watch this video from a mobile device.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)