Worthy Christian News > World News > Israel, US Condemn Moscow Massacre As World Reacts

Israel, US Condemn Moscow Massacre As World Reacts

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent

WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM/MOSCOW/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Israel, the United States, along with the U.S.-led NATO military alliance and the European Union have condemned the terrorist attack in Russia that killed at least 133 people, including children.

“Saddened by tonight’s tragic events in Moscow. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims and to all those affected,” Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on the social media platform X.

While the U.S. has been outraged over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Washington also went out of its way to express condolences after the shootings at the Crocus City Hall near Moscow, for which the Islamic State group, or ISIS, claimed responsibility.

White House spokesperson John Kirby said, “The images are just horrible and just hard to watch, and our thoughts obviously are going to be with the victims of this terrible, terrible shooting attack.”

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken denounced the deadly attack and said Washington condemns “terrorism in all its forms.”

“We send our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed and all affected by this heinous crime. We condemn terrorism in all its forms and stand in solidarity with the people of Russia in grieving the loss of life from this horrific event,” Blinken said in published remarks.

He spoke a day after gunmen opened fire on concertgoers and set fire to the venue in one of the deadliest attacks in Russia in decades.

ISIS AFFILIATE

An Afghanistan-based affiliate of ISIS, which has been active in Afghanistan and Iran, was linked to the assault.

In a televised address to the nation, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the attack a “barbaric terrorist act” as he declared a national day of mourning on Sunday. He suggested that Ukraine played a role in the attack, charges denied by Kyiv.

Besides the U.S., NATO spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah said the military alliance “unequivocally” condemns the attack. “Nothing can justify such heinous crimes. Our deepest condolences to the victims and their families,” she said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Those words were echoed by the 27-nation European Union, which said it was “shocked and appalled” by the attack.

“The EU condemns any attacks against civilians. Our thoughts are with all those Russian citizens affected,” an EU spokesperson added. The EU’s executive European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also condemned the attack.

In EU member state France, President Emmanuel Macron said he “strongly condemns the terrorist attack claimed by the Islamic State” in a statement released by the Elysee Palace.

“France expresses its solidarity with the victims, their loved ones, and all the Russian people,” it said.

TERRIBLE IMAGES

The foreign ministry said, “The images coming out of Moscow are terrible,” and added that “light must be shed on these odious acts.”

Germany, the EU’s largest economy, shared those sentiments. “The images of the horrific attack on innocent people at Crocus City Hall near Moscow are horrific,” Germany’s foreign ministry said. “The background must be clarified quickly. Our deepest condolences go out to the families of the victims.”

“We condemn the terrible terrorist attack on innocent concertgoers in Moscow. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and all those injured,” Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X.

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned what she said was an “odious act of terrorism.”

“The horror of the massacre of innocent civilians in Moscow is unacceptable,” Meloni said, expressing her “full solidarity with the affected people and the victims’ families.”

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, one of Europe’s most pro-Russia leaders, expressed his “deepest condolences” to the people of Russia for the “heinous terrorist attack.” “We pray for the families of the victims!” he wrote on X.

Belgium, Greece, Spain, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden were among other EU nations expressing similar emotionally charged statements, along with Norway.

SECURITY CONCERNS

However, Poland, which has often condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine, said through its Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz that Poland was “constantly monitoring the situation” amid security concerns.

“I am in contact with the general staff of the Polish Army, all services, and our allies. We are analyzing this situation in terms of its possible impact on Poland’s security.”

The Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote on X: “The terrorist attacks in Moscow are appalling – attacks directed at civilians can never be justified. We condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families”.

The Palestinian Authority also condemned the attack and “affirmed its solidarity and support for the Russian leadership and the friendly people of Russia, emphasizing its keenness on stability in the friendly Russian Federation,” according to the official Wafa news agency.

In Syria, where Russia has a strong military presence, the foreign ministry condemned “in the strongest terms, the cowardly terrorist attack … which comes after the great achievements gained by the friendly Russian people”, adding that “Syria stresses the need for intensifying global efforts in facing such massacres and bring their perpetrators to justice.

Also in the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates “expresses its strong denunciation of these criminal acts, and its permanent rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism that aim to destabilize security and stability and are inconsistent with international law,” the foreign ministry said.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also sent condolences to Putin, the foreign ministry said. “The crown prince strongly condemned this criminal act and expressed deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to the president, the families of the victims, and the people of the Russian Federation, wishing the injured speedy recovery.”

In addition, Egypt “strongly condemns the shooting incident,” the foreign ministry said there. “The government and the people of Egypt express their sincere condolences and sympathies to the government and people of Russia in this painful tragedy and to the families of the victims, wishing them a speedy recovery to all the injured.”

CHINA REACTS

In China, which maintains close ties with Russia, President Xi Jinping sent his “condolences” to Putin too. Xi “stressed that China opposes all forms of terrorism, strongly condemns the terrorist attack and firmly supports the Russian government’s efforts to safeguard its national security and stability,” China’s state-run media said.

Elsewhere in Asia, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “We strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attack in Moscow. He added, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. India stands in solidarity with the government and the people of the Russian Federation in this hour of grief.”

Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it “reaffirms its stance in rejecting terrorism and violent extremism in all forms and manifestations.

“Malaysia continues to underscore the urgent need for a concerted international effort to eliminate the scourge of terrorism in a comprehensive and effective manner,” it said in a statement.

And Japan’s foreign ministry said it “strongly” condemned the attack. “Japan extends its sincere condolences to the bereaved families and expresses its heartfelt sympathy to those who were injured.”

At the United Nations, the U.N. Security Council said it condemned “in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack” at Crocus City Hall in Moscow’s northern suburb of Krasnogorsk.

“The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers, and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice.”

‘INTOLERABLE ATRACK’

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is on a visit to Egypt’s border with the Gaza Strip, “firmly” condemned the attack on the concert hall.

“We consider absolutely intolerable the attack that took place in Moscow, and we encourage all countries to cooperate with each other in order to make sure that ISIS [ISIL] will not have the capacity to strike anywhere else in the world,” he told reporters.

The U.N. chief stressed that Islamic State is “a terrorist organization that is operating in several parts of the world and is a very serious threat to us all.” “[It] needs to be fought with determination, with a lot of international cooperation,” he stressed.

Turkey, which had been trying to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, also expressed concern. “We strongly condemn this heinous terrorist attack targeting innocent civilians,” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a public rally in the capital Ankara. “Terrorism is unacceptable no matter who it comes from or who the perpetrator is.”

Erdogan explained that Turkey shared Russia’s pain, adding, “We’ll continue to fight against terror, the common enemy of humanity.” Britain’s Foreign Minister David Cameron agreed, saying the U.K. condemned “in the strongest terms the deadly terrorist attack.”

“We offer our heartfelt condolences and express our deepest sympathy to the families of the many victims.” Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel said, “Cuba condemns the atrocious terrorist act that occurred in Moscow. Our sincerest condolences to the government and people of Russia.”

Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yvan Gil stressed he wanted to “express our strongest condemnation of the armed attack that has been carried out against civilians today in Moscow in the exhibition center Crocus City Hall.” The minister added: We send out condolences to the families of the victims, and we stand in solidarity with the Russian government.”

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa wrote on X: “We are deeply saddened, and we pay our condolences to the people of Russia following the tragic terror attack that killed so many people. I will be talking to President Putin to convey our condolences”.