Jewish Leaders Denounce Gun Violence After Orlando Mass Killing
Washington, DC,
June 13, 2016
FORWARD Jewish Leaders Denounce Gun Violence After Orlando Mass Killing By Forward Staff Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders led a chorus of Jewish political, religious and cultural leaders who expressed outrage at gun violence after the mass shooting that killed 50 people in a gay nightclub in Orlando. “All Americans are horrified, disgusted and saddened by the horrific” mass killing, Sanders said. Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz planned to attend a Sunday night Miami gay pride event in solidarity with the victims. “Like those before it, this mass shooting is senseless & horrifying,” she Tweeted. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said his thoughts were with the victims. “Horrified and saddened by the appalling attack at Orlando LGBT nightclub,” he Tweeted. Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, called the attack another sign of the failure to curb gun violence. “The staggering loss of life, yet again facilitated by a military-style weapon that has no place on the street, causes us deep pain,” Pesner wrote in a press release. “The attack is also further proof, as if any were needed, of the imperative to end the culture of gun violence that grips the nation.” Lena Dunham took to Instagram to express solidarity with the gay community in Orlando — and speak out about gun violence. “Our hearts break for the queer community in Orlando, unsafe even in a space they created for themselves,” she wrote. “Our hearts break for a country where this is what the news looks like day after day.” In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin offered condolences to the victims. “On behalf of Israelis and the government of Israel, I wish to extend our sincerest condolences to the American people in the wake of the heinous attack on the LGBT community in Orlando last night,” the prime minister said in a statement. In Tel Aviv, Mayor Ron Huldai ordered the city municipal building lit up in rainbow colors to express solidarity with the shooting victims. |
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