World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder on Sunday condemned the deadly terrorist attacks carried out against worshipers at two different Coptic churches in the Egyptian cities of Tanta and Alexandria, which killed at least 40 people who were gathered for Sunday services. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attacks.
“I condemn the heinous attacks on Coptic churches in Egypt today, which claimed the lives of so many people. People had come to church to pray and were murdered by callous fanatics.
“The Jewish world stands in solidarity with the people of Egypt, who have been suffering for years under the threat of terror, and particularly with the Christian community which has found itself targeted numerous times just because of their religion.
It was the deadliest day of violence against Christians in the country in decades.The Islamic State in Syria (ISIS) terror group claimed responsibility for both attacks. The first explosion occurred about 9:30 on Sunday morning at St. George’s Church in the Nile Delta city of Tanta, 50 miles north of Cairo, during Sunday mass.
A suicide bomber had managed to get by security and detonated his explosives near the altar. At least 27 people were killed at the church and 71 others injured.
Hours later, a second explosion occurred at the gates of St. Mark’s Cathedral in the coastal city of Alexandria. That blast killed at least 13 people and wounded 21 others.
“These attacks are a threat not just against the Christians, but against all people in the world. They were attacks on freedom of religion. We must stand together against these threats and defeat all forms of radical and fanatic terrorism," said Ronald S. Lauder.
He added: “I hope that this time the world won't remain silent as they have in the past about Christians being killed in the Middle East. The Jewish people know what happens when the world is silent."
