Israeli Embassy Response To The Attacks In Israel
Communicated by the spokeswoman of the Israeli Embassy in Wellington
The Israeli Embassy in Wellington conveys its condolences to the family and friends of New Zealand SAS Corporal Doug
Grant, who lost his life in his efforts to save hostages held in the city of Kabul. Our hearts and minds go out to them
in this difficult time.
Tragedies as such unfortunately occur in the fight against terror. Such was the case in Southern Israel last week
Thursday, where 8 innocent people lost their lives and over 40 people have been injured. Amongst one of the dead was
Pascal Avrahami, Chief Warrant Officer in the Elite Anti Terror Squad of the Israeli Border Police. Much like Corporal
Doug Grant, Avrahami was killed in the midst of his own efforts to stop the terrorists.
Defense Minister Ehoud Barak quickly condemned the attack stating that: "The terrorist attack originated in Gaza, most
of the perpetrators were killed and the senior terrorists responsible for the attack were killed shortly after it."
Israel will do all it can to defend its citizens and is acting with efficiency against the launching of Grad missiles
and rockets from Gaza in order to protect the citizens of Israel.
Since Thursday's attack, over 70 Grad missiles and rockets have been fired into Israel, reaching the cities of Be'er
Sheva, Ashqelon & Ashdod, wounding dozens and leaving one dead.
In light of recent events at the Israeli-Egyptian border following Thursday's attack, Defense Minister Ehoud Barak
stated the following: "We regret the deaths of members of the Egyptian security forces during the terror attack on the
Israeli-Egyptian border." The Minister of Defense has ordered an IDF investigation, followed by a joint examination with
the Egyptian military, to examine the circumstances of the event. He added that: "The Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty has
great importance and much strategic value for the stability of the Middle East."
The current situation reinforces Israel's belief in the need for a sincere partner in working towards a viable and
bilateral peace agreement based on defensible borders and security.
Patricia Deen
Spokeswoman and Director of Cultural Affairs
Embassy of Israel in Wellington.