PM: Girl's horrifying murder proves terrorists' inhumanity

The brutal murder of 13-year-old Hallel Yaffa Ariel Thursday, who was stabbed to death by a Palestinian terrorist while sleeping in her Kiryat Arba home, was widely condemned by public officials from across the political spectrum, who leveled scathing criticism at the incitement prevalent in Palestinian society.

"This type of terrorism, by incited youth who are raised to believe the blood libel preached freely by their leaders, must stop," President Reuven Rivlin said. "We will fight this phenomenon with relentless determination, and we will not yield."


Credit: Government Press Office


Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "The horrifying murder of a girl sleeping in her bed illustrates the inhumanity of the bloodthirsty terrorists we are dealing with. The Israeli public as a whole feels the family's loss, and together we say to these murderers -- you will not break us. I expect the Palestinian leadership to unequivocally condemn this brutal murder and put a stop to this incitement immediately."

The British, German, U.S. and EU ambassadors to Israel condemned the attack, which the U.S. called "unconscionable."

British Ambassador to Israel David Quarrey tweeted, "I condemn today's horrific terrorist attack. [There] can be no possible justification for the murder of a 13-year-old girl in her bed."

A statement by the U.S. State Department said, "We condemn in the strongest possible terms the outrageous terrorist attack this morning in the West Bank, where a 13-year-old girl, Hallel Ariel, was stabbed to death in her home. This brutal act of terrorism is simply unconscionable. We extend our deepest condolences to her family. We also understand another individual who was responding to the attack was wounded by the attacker. We extend our hopes for a quick and full recovery."

EU Envoy to Israel Lars Faaborg-Andersen tweeted, "Strongly condemn terror murder of Hallel Yaffa Ariel in Kiryat Arba this morning. No excuse for terrorism."

The German Foreign Office issued a statement saying, "The stabbing of a 13-year-old girl is a new record in atrocious and cruel acts. No religion, no political conflict and no personal frustration can justify the malicious murder of a sleeping child. All those responsible for decision making in the region must act together to eradicate the hatred that is filling people’s heads and to promote human values."

'An incomprehensible reality'

Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz said, "Until the Palestinian education system stops teaching incitement any talk of promoting peace is nothing but an illusion."

Former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon noted that "unfortunately, there are no magical solutions to the incitement and its horrific implication. We must stand steadfast against this fundamental hatred and these terrorists, anytime and anywhere."

Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz said the terrorist's family "must be expelled to the Gaza Strip or Syria as soon as possible. Expelling terrorists' families is the only way we can deter incited Palestinian youths from committing such heinous acts."

MK Nurit Koren (Likud) tweeted, "The home of the despicable terrorist who killed a sleeping girl in her bed should be demolished, to generate deterrence."

Likud MK Nava Boker leveled harsh criticism at Joint Arab List MK Hanin Zoabi, saying, "The blood of the 13-year-old girl who was murdered today is on her hands. It's the result of the inciting statements she makes from the podium. She encourages terrorist attacks, the murder of children in their bed. We have to put an end to it."

MK Robert Ilatov (Yisrael Beytenu) also lambasted Zoabi. Commenting on controversial remarks the Arab MK made in parliament Wednesday, he said, "The disgraceful spectacle we witnessed yesterday already has horrific ramifications -- a girl was slain in her sleep. This is unfortunate proof of why we cannot allow this terrorism sympathizer a place in the Israeli Knesset."

Opposition Leader Isaac Herzog (Zionist Union) took to Facebook, writing, "My heart is torn by the photos showing Hallel Yaffa Ariel's innocent, smiling face. She was murdered in her sleep by a cruel terrorist. I'm horrified by the thought of her last moments, as burning hatred and cruelty managed to breach the safety of her own home. We have to change this reality! I send her family my heartfelt condolences. May her memory be blessed."

On her Facebook page, Meretz Chairwoman Zehava Galon wrote, "It breaks my heart, such a young girl had her life taken from her so brutally. My heart goes out to her family, who must now deal with the worst kind of tragedy. I cannot imagine how much hatred you have to have to stab a 13-year-old girl sleeping in her bed. Too many children have paid for the [Israeli-Palestinian] conflict with their lives, and too many parents have had to bury their children."

Joint Arab List MK Dov Khenin offered the family his condolences and expressed his shock over "the brutal murder of 13-year-old Hallel Yaffa Ariel in Kiryat Arba. Once again, children are made to pay the price of the actions, mistakes and crimes perpetrated by adults. We have to spare no effort to ensure the safety of Israeli and Palestinian children alike. This in an incomprehensible reality, and we mustn’t put up with it."

Speaking at the teen's funeral, Kiryat Arba and Hebron Rabbi Dov Lior, said, "Every boy and girl, man and woman, sitting here right now reflect strength and courage. The pure soul in heaven will advocate for the people of Israel. ... With all the pain and sadness over how this soul was torn from us, we mustn’t let it prevent us from eradicating terrorism."

Malachi Levinger, head of Kiryat Arba Council, said, "This is the sixth murder of a resident of Kiryat Arba-Hebron this year. We demand [the IDF] deal the terrorist infrastructure a crippling blow."

Avi Roeh, head of the Yesha Council, the umbrella organization of municipal councils of Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria, said, "Dealing with terrorism must coincide with the spirit of Zionism, so we demand the Defense Ministry approve the construction of a new neighborhoods in Kiryat Arba."

Head of the Har Hebron Regional Council Yohai Damari also demanded harsher counterterrorism measures, saying, "Dealing with the swamp of terrorism in the Hebron area requires thorough and uncompromising action by the military."

Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Uri Ariel, who is Hallel's father's cousin, spoke at the funeral.

"We have sworn to build the Land of Israel and we will continue to do so. Mr. Prime Minister, we are sovereign on the Temple Mount and you are responsible for realizing that, every day and every hour. There is one person who is responsible for this murder -- the same person who accuses rabbis of poisoning wells, and the same person responsible for the terrorism running rampant in or country. He isn’t a partner for peace. He isn’t a partner for anything," Ariel said, referring to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

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