Outpouring of support, concern after California synagogue attack

Sympathy poured in from around the world in response to a shooting attack in a Poway, California Chabad synagogue on Saturday that killed one woman and wounded three others.

The rabbi, Yisroel Goldstein, was reportedly one of those who were wounded in the attack.

“The words, the demonstrators and the cartoons turn into shootings against worshipers in synagogues,” said Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon in response to the attack. “Antisemitism continues to raise its head and take victims. This is the time for action, for a determined war and not for weak and hollow condemnations that allow the forces of hate to revive dark periods in history.”

The ambassador was seemingly referencing an antisemitic cartoon published by The New York Times on Saturday.

“I am following with deep concern the tragic events in Poway, California, as once again Jewish blood has been spilled on one of our holiest days, in a place of prayer,” said Diaspora Affairs Minister Naftali Bennett.

“And even in the face of this terror and hatred, once again we are hearing reports of unrivalled bravery as the rabbi of the community – who was himself injured – sought to defend his congregants from the vicious shooter.

“Let all who wish the Jewish people harm understand: We are a strong people and we are a united people and we will never be defeated by hatred. The people of Israel stand side by side with our brothers and sisters in America, and with all the American people against this and all forms of terror.”

Chairman of the Jewish Agency, Isaac Herzog, responded to the attack, saying: “The antisemitic attack at Chabad Poway in California is horrifying. We at the Jewish Agency are closely following events and mourn the loss of life and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. It’s immoral to attack people of any faith at any place of worship. It must be stopped!”

Speaking with reporters at the White House, US President Donald Trump said, “My deepest sympathies go to the people that were affected.” He added that “it looks like a hate crime” and that authorities will “get to the bottom of it.”

“We condemn in the strongest terms the evil & cowardly shooting at Chabad of Poway today as Jewish families celebrated Passover,” wrote Vice President Mike Pence. “No one should be in fear in a house of worship. Antisemitism isn’t just wrong – it’s evil.”

Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who has faced controversy over her use of antisemitic tropes, responded to the attack as well.

“My heart is breaking after today’s deadly shooting at Chabad Congregation in San Diego – on the last day of Passover and 6 months to the day after the Tree of Life shooting,” she said. “We as a nation must confront the terrifying rise of religious hate and violence. Love trumps hate.”

Vermont Senator and presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders also expressed his sadness.

“Another horrific shooting at a place of worship, today at the Poway Synagogue in San Diego County,” he wrote on Twitter. “We must work every day to eradicate all forms of hatred and bigotry, and take serious action to protect Americans from gun violence.”

“We all have a responsibility to condemn hate crimes but we must also acknowledge things said and written that may contribute to it,” wrote former US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley. “Prayers for Rabbi Goldstein and his congregation.”

“I’m heartsick for the victims of today’s horrific attack at the Chabad of Poway and their families,” Democratic Presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren tweeted. “No one should ever have to face hatred and violence in a place of worship.”

“I’m grieving with the Jewish community & all of America,” Democratic Representative Ted Deutch, D-Fla., tweeted. “Another brutal attack on people of faith in their house of worship.”

“We are shocked and saddened beyond words by reports of a shooting at a synagogue in Poway, California,” wrote AJC. “We pray for the recovery of those injured as we anxiously await further news.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Jewish community of Poway, California today as their worst nightmare unfolds,” WJC President Ronald S. Lauder said in response to the attack. “There is absolutely no justification or explanation for such violence, and it is inconceivable that, yet again, innocent people have been targeted simply for their religion and for choosing to attend a place of worship.”

“It’s heartbreaking to see yet another tragedy on Shabbat, on the last day of Passover, exactly six months after the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh,” ADL CEO Jonathan A. Greenblatt responded. “This shooting is a reminder of the enduring virulence of anti-Semitism. It must serve as a call to action for us as a society to deal once and for all with this hate.”

“People of all faiths should not have to live in fear of going to their house of worship,” Greenblatt continued. “From Charleston to Pittsburgh to Oak Creek and from Christchurch to Sri Lanka, and now Poway, we need to say ‘enough is enough.’ Our leaders need to stand united against hate and address it both on social media and in our communities.”

“These murders did not occur in a vacuum. They are the product of an age-old hate that continues to infect millions around the world,” said the Israeli-American council in response. “Today’s events sound yet another alarm about the growing danger of anti-Semitism in our country.

“In recent years, anti-Semitic tropes once confined to the fringes of our culture have been increasingly expressed openly and unabashedly, including in mainstream American media,” the IAC said. “History’s lessons call on us as to act together with strength and unity to fight anti-Semitism wherever it rears its ugly head. The IAC will not stand silent.”

“On the last day of Passover, we grieve with Jewish communities in the San Diego area & around the world after today’s attack at a synagogue,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in response to the attack. “These acts of hatred & violence have to end, and we must all come together to stand up against them.”

Reuters contributed to this report.

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