World Jewish Congress (WJC) President Ronald S. Lauder condemned Wednesday’s attacks at the British Parliament building in London, in which four people, including the presumed attacker, were killed and several others wounded, calling them “a callous and calculated strike against democracy and liberty, which won’t succeed.” Police were treating the events as a terrorist incident.
Ronald S. Lauder declared: “This attack was a callous and calculated strike at the heart of Britain’s democracy. Its iconic Parliament building is a shining symbol of democracy that has inspired so many people around the world.
"It seems beyond coincidence that this attack was carried out on the first anniversary of the two terror attacks in Brussels, in which so many people were murdered.
"Terrorists around Europe and the world are trying to challenge our democracy and liberty. They will not succeed. Such acts are barbaric crimes, they are crimes against humanity.
"Today, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and friends, and with the British people. Let’s hope that whoever planned and carried out this monstrous act of violence will be apprehended and brought to justice.
“Once again, we must all stand together, rise to the challenge and defeat terrorism in all its forms. Nothing can justify the steamrolling or stabbing or shooting or bombing of innocent people in our cities, absolutely nothing.
"The terrorists won’t succeed if we stand united against them, if we defend our democracies and uphold our freedoms,” said Lauder.