Statement by the Zionist Federation of Ukraine on the Escalation of Violence in the Middle East

Since its inception, the State of Israel has been surrounded by bitter enemies, whose main goal was to destroy the Jewish state. These enemies are full of hatred and are irreconcilable. However, Israel has proven many times that it can handle the toughest of challenges.

On May 7, after the end of prayer on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, Palestinian believers threw stones at the Israeli security forces. In return,  rubber bullets, stun grenades, and tear gas were used. After that, the militants of the Hamas organization, which controls the Gaza Strip, began firing rockets into Israel.

Over the past three days, Palestinian militants have fired about 1,600 rockets from the Gaza Strip towards Israel.

In these difficult moments, we recall the wise words of Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir:

1. I will never forgive the Arabs for making our children learn to kill them.

2. Our destiny cannot and will not be determined by others.

3. Peace in the Middle East will come when Arabs will love their children more than they hate Jews.

ZFU expresses condolences to the families and friends of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to all wounded.

We express our confidence that this time the country, which is one of the ten most developed countries in the world, and its army – the Israel Defense Forces – one of the most battle-hardened armies, will not only withstand but will win a crushing victory over the insidious enemy. The sirens will stop whining, and life will return to normalcy once again.

We hope for the support of the international community, for the decisive action of the leaders of the European countries and the United States, whose diplomatic efforts will help secure peace in the Middle East.

B’ezrat HaShem!

ZFU Executive Directorate,

Kyiv, May 13, 2021