NEW YORK - World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder has condemned the deadly attack on a bus in Egypt carrying Coptic Christians on their way to a monastery on Friday, in which seven people were killed. ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack.
“On behalf of the more than 100 Jewish communities worldwide affiliated with the World Jewish Congress, I denounce this attack in the strongest terms possible, and urge the authorities in Egypt to do everything in their power to protect the Coptic community from such vile attacks,” Lauder said. “It is incumbent upon the international community to speak up against such atrocities and make it clear that they will not be tolerated.”
“Jews everywhere are standing in solidarity with the Egyptian Coptic community in this difficult time. Nobody, anywhere in this world, should have to live in fear for their lives because of who they are and how they worship,” Lauder added.
“One week ago today, 11 Jews were murdered in Pittsburgh during Sabbath morning prayers, targeted just for being Jewish. These attacks are the result of hatred and the unabashed proliferation of evil ideology, in the streets, on social media, and in far too many other arenas. We must join our forces to combat this hate and ensure that our communities are safe and protected,” he said.
“As we continue to mourn the victims of the Pittsburgh attack today, we join the Coptic community in Egypt in mourning the innocent lives senselessly lost,” Lauder said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, and the entire Coptic community.”