World Jewish News

Israeli PM Netanyahu on Barcelona terror attack

‘’This evening we again saw that terror strikes everywhere, the civilized world must fight it together in order to defeat,’’ said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a first statement on the terror attack in the Spanish city which claimed the lives of at least 13 people and injured more than 100.

A rented transit van hit crowds on Las Ramblas, a busy tourist street in Barcelona. Several hours later, six civilians and one police officer were wounded when a car was driven into them in Cambrils – a popular seaside resort 110km (68 miles) south-west of Barcelona.

Police shot dead four of the Cambrils attackers and a fifth later died of his injuries. Two suspects have also been arrested in connection with the Las Ramblas attack, but neither are believed to be the driver of the van.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, the group's Amaq news agency said.Police confirmed they had arrested two people in connection with the attack. It was not immediately clear how many attackers were involved in the incident.

The terrorist attack occurred in the vicinity of the Maccabi kosher restaurant, located across from the city's medieval Jewish quarter.

The Chief Rabbi of Barcelona, Meir Bar-Hen, said all communityu institutions have been cliosed in the immediate aftermath of the attack. The city's main synagogue was closed for a minimum of 24 hours following the attack.

A Chabad representative in Barcelona told The Jerusalem Post that the institute is located close to the scene of the attack and that members of Chabad staff were trying to reach the area to see if they were any Jewish casualties but that the police would not let them enter the area. "If there are Jews there we will try to find them and help them however we can," he said. "We are waiting for the incident to be over."

He confirmed that all Jewish institutes had closed until they received further notice.

World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder condemned the attack. “The World Jewish Congress harshly condemns this heinous act of violence and carnage, and is carefully monitoring this situation

with concern. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this attack and their families, and with all the people of Barcelona.

“We are monitoring the events as they unfold with care and concern, and are in touch with the local Jewish community and its security groups. We pray that there will be no more victims.”

Moshe Kantor, President of the European Jewish Congress (EJC), said. “They are choosing to strike again at our zest for life and our basic freedoms with their cult of death. It is becoming increasingly difficult to prevent this abuse of regular vehicles as their chosen instrument of murder.”

“We stand with the Spanish people and urge the authorities to bring to justice those who perpetrated this savage attack, including those who inspired it and those whose incitement encouraged it.”

The President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, declared: “I want to condemn, in the most resounding terms, the terrorist attack perpetrated in Barcelona earlier today. My thoughts are with the victims of this terrible atrocity and their families, as well as the citizens of Barcelona. Tonight, Barcelona is close to the heart of all Europeans.

He added: “The determination of the European Union in the fight against terrorism will not diminish. We will not be intimidated by those who peddle violence and death and we will face them down strengthened by our freedom, our unity and rule of law.”

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said the Commission ‘’is at the full disposal of the authorities for any help or assistance necessary. This cowardly attack has deliberately targeted those enjoying life and sharing time with family and friends. We will never be cowed by such barbarism."

In May 2015, Spain moved from a four-tiered threat level system to a five-tiered one. It soon increased its threat level to four after attacks in France, Tunisia and Kuwait. Following the November 13, 2015 Paris attacks, Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Díaz announced the threat level would remain at four, ruling out raising it to five, which would signify an attack was imminent. After the March 22 2016 Brussels attacks, the minister announced increased security measures at airports but retained the level-four rating.

In 2004, Madrid was the site of the worst Islamist attack on European soil when 192 were killed in a bomb attack on a train station carried out by a group inspired by Al Qaeda.

EJP