The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley stands in solidarity with the victims of the terrorist attack that took place in Tel Aviv this morning.

Since early this morning, several reports have indicated that a Palestinian man stabbed at least 17 commuters on a bus, leaving at least four seriously injured. We pray for the speedy recovery of the victims of the attack and for their families who deserve to live in peace.

We would also like to commend Herzl Biton, the heroic driver of the bus where the attack took place, for fending off the terrorist with pepper spray while being stabbed. Herzl also aided members of the prison services who eventually caught the terrorist. His brave actions and selflessness helped saved countless lives. 

The stabbing was the latest of a series of “lone-wolf” terrorist attacks that have plagued Israel in recent months. About a dozen people have been killed in Palestinian attacks, including five people killed with guns and meat cleavers in a bloody assault on a Jerusalem synagogue. We call on world leaders to urge the Palestinian Authority to sever its ties with Hamas, a terrorist organization which today termed the stabbing attack as a "heroic and brave." We support efforts by our United States Congress and State Department to force the Palestinian Authority to cease incendiary language that supports a culture of violence as opposed to reconciliation, coexistence and peace.