J-Wire

J-Wire Staff

World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder has harshly condemned the vicious attack on an Orlando, Florida nightclub which left 50 people dead and dozens more wounded earlier in the evening, in the most severe hate crime in US history.

“On behalf of world Jewry, I condemn this horrific act of terror and wish to express the Jewish people’s solidarity with the victims and with the LGBT community,” Lauder said. “No minority should live under a state of fear simply because of who they are, and we must work together to root out hate in all its forms. My prayers are with the families and friends of those who were lost. May their memories be a blessing.”

The suspect in the shooting pledged allegiance to ISIS and mentioned the Boston bombing in a call to 911 about 20 minutes into the attack, according to US reports. His name has not been confirmed by US authorities, but several news outlets have identified him as Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old resident of Florida.

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “We are all shocked at the horrific massacre in Orlando. On behalf of the government and people of Israel, I would like to again express our condolences to the American people and the families at this especially difficult hour. This terror threatens the entire world and it is necessary – first of all – that the enlightened countries urgently unite to fight it. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the American people.”

In the meantime President Reuven Rivlin has written to US President Obama to express his condolences following the attack in Orlando. The President wrote, “Once again we feel the pain of terrible loss as we see the blood spilled of young and innocent people. There is no comfort for those who have had their loved ones torn away from them.

“This attack against the LGBT community in Orlando, is as cowardly as it is abhorrent. The Israeli people stand shoulder to shoulder with our American brothers and sisters in the moral and just fight against all forms of violence and hatred. On behalf of all of Israel, I send my condolences to the families of the victims, and prayers for a speedy recovery of the injured.”

In Australia Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC) said: ““The ADC is deeply shocked and condemns in the strongest possible terms this evil attack. Once again, we see an act of unspeakable brutality fuelled by hate and extremism targeting innocent people based on their sexual orientation. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and the LGBTI community, and we wish the injured a full and speedy recovery.

During this time of grief and mourning, we stand together with the people of Florida and with the American nation as they seek to recover from this heartbreaking episode. This tragedy is a stark reminder that radical ideologies and lone-wolf terrorism remain a serious and potent threat to communities around the world. It is the duty of all nations to stand together so as prevail in the concerted, sustained fight against global terrorism and to ensure that the lives of all citizens are protected, and that the shared values of democracy, respect and freedom are secure.”

Read More: http://www.jwire.com.au/orlando/#more-64232