B’NAI BRITH CANADA CONDEMNS KILLINGS IN HEBRON

July 20, 2001

For Immediate Release

Just hours after a B’nai Brith Canada leadership delegation visited the beleaguered Jewish community of Hebron, a tragedy occurred just west of the city. B’nai Brith Canada condemns in the strongest possible terms the drive by killing last night of two young men and a child, as well as the wounding of four others. There is no rationale for the cold blooded murder of innocent civilians. B’nai Brith Canada applauds the quick and decisive steps taken by Israeli authorities aimed at finding the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.

Rochelle Wilner, President of B’nai Brith Canada, was saddened by this senseless act of violence. “This heinous act of violence puts the perpetrators over the same moral abyss that Palestinian snipers on the roads of the West Bank and Gaza have been jumping off for ten months. Israeli citizens, including the inhabitants of the territories, have repudiated this repulsive act.”

Frank Dimant, Executive Vice President of B’nai Brith Canada, added, “Anyone can understand a military response to an act of violence perpetrated by terrorists. There have, unfortunately, been too many situations where that has been necessary. But this shooting goes against not only the tactical needs, but also the moral backbone which runs throughout Israeli society. The perpetrators must be brought to justice.”

B’nai Brith Canada leadership was in Israel on the single largest solidarity delegation from any one organization since the start of the current crisis, which began last fall. The group was in Israel to demonstrate support and condolence to victims and their families in Netanya, Judea, Samaria and Gaza.

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B’nai Brith has been active since 1875 as the country’s senior advocacy and volunteer agency.