The Jewish Community Relations Council of New York applauds its elected officials for taking a strong stance against the heinous terror attack perpetrated on Wednesday against Israeli tourists in Bulgaria.  
 
Please see below for statements from Senators Schumer and Gillibrand; Congress Members Rangel, Ackerman, Engel, Lowey, Maloney, McCarthy, Crowley, Israel, Hayworth, and Turner; NYS Comptroller DiNapoli; Senate Majority Leader Skelos; Public Advocate DeBlasio; NYC Comptroller Liu; NYC Council Speaker Quinn; Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer; Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.; Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz; Former NYC Comptroller Bill Thompson; Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino, and Westchester Board of Legislators Chairman Ken Jenkins. 

Sen. Charles Schumer
 
"My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed and injured. This was a barbaric and despicable attack against innocent civilians. As always, Americans stand with Israel and will work to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous attack. Make no mistake – this terrorist act has only served to reaffirm America’s rock solid commitment to Israel's security."
 
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
 
“My deepest condolences go out to the victims of this heinous attack and their loved ones and those responsible must be brought to justice. This tragedy and the recent string of terror threats against the people of Israel are all too real and they are mounting. The U.S. must remain vigilant in countering terrorism. I stand with the people of Israel and remain committed to show unyielding support for our nation’s strongest ally in the Middle East.”
 
Rep. Charles Rangel
 
"These attacks against innocent people are horrifying and reprehensible. Such violence targeting people for their ethnicity, nationality or religion has absolutely no place in our world.  I join my Colleagues in Congress and the American people in condemning such acts of terrorism.
 
“Today’s horrendous attack reminds us that our Jewish friends are not any safer than they were 18 years ago, when the AMIA Jewish Center in Buenos Aires was bombed. The Israeli people still live under real threat every day. The United States will stand strongly with our Allies to protect the security of the Israeli people.
 
“My thoughts and prayers are with today’s victims and their families and friends. May those who are injured recover soon and the families and friends of the deceased find peace."
 
Rep. Gary Ackerman

“I condemn in the strongest terms the ghastly attack in Bulgaria on July 18th.  This attack, perpetrated by the Iranian regime and Hezbollah, is yet another reminder of the barbaric and wholly amoral character of these two fiendish actors, and their irrepressible hatred for Jews and Israel.

“Attacks, like the one in Bulgaria and in 1994 in Buenos Ares, are not aberrations. They are fundamental expressions of the nature of the mullahs and their Lebanese attack dog which, however much they wish to shroud themselves in the clothing and mannerisms of religion, have no foundation in any faith, nor connection to anything of godly worth.

“Murderous barbarism of this sort, which follows many other attempts at terrorism in many other places, is the natural expression of the hideous nature of the ayatollahs’ regime and the inextricably violent nature of that regime’s Lebanese proxy, Hezbollah. And this unrequited history of murder, terror and pitiless cruelty illustrates yet again why Iran must never be allowed, under any circumstances—and regardless of cost—to acquire a nuclear weapons capability.

“While today, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this attack and their families, we must inevitably turn from this tragedy back to the essential task of confronting Iran and Hezbollah, and making absolutely certain that the power of nuclear arms never comes into their bloodstained hands.”

Rep. Eliot Engel
 
“The United States and the rest of the civilized world must stand with the Israel against terrorism. Until terrorism ceases against Israeli citizens there will not be peace in the Middle East.   The violence must stop, and must stop now.  I find it more than coincidental that on the 18th anniversary of the bombing of the AMIA Jewish cultural center in Buenos Aires, an Israeli target was attacked, this time in Europe.   We must stand up to the terrorists, wherever and whenever they strike.  The United States should provide whatever assistance Bulgaria requires to bring the perpetrators to justice. Should Iran or another nation be found responsible, it must be held accountable. 
 
“Let us keep all these victims and their families in our thoughts and prayers.”
 
Rep. Nita Lowey

"The perpetrators of today's heinous terrorist attack - and all those who facilitated it - must be held accountable. I extend my deepest sympathies to families of those killed and those wounded. Our resolve to work with our ally Israel and others will never be weakened by such barbaric acts."
 
Rep. Carolyn Maloney
 
“My heart goes out to the families of the victims of the fatal bombing in Bulgaria.  The cowardly targeting of teenagers and families on vacation is further proof that the terrorists’ have no qualms about directing their deadly hatred on the most innocent targets.  Any Israeli, anywhere in the world becomes fair game in their twisted mindset.  This latest attack, coming on the anniversary of the AMIA bombing in Argentina, is reminder that terrorism knows no borders, no restraint, no limits and no honor.  The entire world must condemn this contemptible attack and take whatever steps may be necessary to combat terrorism in all its forms.”

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy
 
“Today's attack on Israeli tourists in Bulgaria is a heinous and tragic reminder of how important it is that the United States provide its full and unequivocal cooperation and support to help ensure the security of Israel, our closest and most important ally in the Middle East.
 
“Just yesterday I voted for the U.S.-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act, which would help ensure stability in the Middle East by helping Israel protect its homeland and its citizens, and today's attack is an awful reminder of how important such commitments are.
 
“As I said yesterday, President Obama should sign the U.S.-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act right away so we can continue to strengthen the unique and critical alliance that we share with Israel and its people.”
 
Rep. Joe Crowley
 
“I am deeply saddened and troubled by the heinous attack against innocent civilians, including children, in Bulgaria today. There is absolutely no place in any society for this type of cowardly act. Today’s tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the fact that Israel and her people remain under a constant threat of violence. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and those injured as a result of this senseless attack.”
 
Rep. Steve Israel
 
“I extend my deepest condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of the Israelis who tragically lost their lives today and those who were injured in the terrorist attack in Bulgaria.
 
“These senseless attacks on innocent civilians both within and outside of Israel’s borders are reprehensible. I stand with my colleagues in Congress in strongly condemning this attack.
 
“Today we also mark the 18th anniversary of the bombing of the AMIA Jewish Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This is a solemn reminder that terrorism still plagues us, and we must do everything in our power to protect the State of Israel and Jews around the world.”

Rep. Nan Hayworth

“The terrorist attack on innocent Israeli tourists at a Bulgarian resort is an affront to the principles that Israelis and Americans share and hold dear: to protect innocent human life and to preserve peace and security so that we can live in freedom,” said Congresswoman Hayworth. “The fight against terror requires daily vigilance and resolve, and I will continue to stand with the Israeli people to assure that we are doing all we can to prevent hostile states and entities from committing heinous acts.
 
"I extend my thoughts and prayers to the families of those who were killed and injured in this vile and senseless attack.”

Rep. Bob Turner

“My thoughts and prayers are with those who lost loved ones in yesterday’s deliberate and cowardly attack against Israeli tourists in Bulgaria. The individuals or groups linked to the bombing should be held responsible for their actions. We must continue to stand firm with our ally Israel and against those who seek to send a political message using violence against the innocent as their messenger.”

NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli

"Given the close-knit relationship between New York and Israel, yesterday’s terrorist attack in Bulgaria has impacted a significant number of our families, friends and neighbors.

"I offer my prayers and condolences to those affected by this senseless tragedy."
 
Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos
 
“I stand firmly with the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, the Jewish community and the nation of Israel in condemning this horrific act of terrorism committed against Israeli vacationers in Bulgaria,” said Senator Skelos.  “The continued violence against the innocent citizens of one of our nation’s greatest allies must stop and those responsible must be swiftly brought to justice.  My thoughts at this time are with the Israeli people and the families of those slain and injured in this senseless attack.” 

NYC Public Advocate Bill De Blasio

“I stand with the JCRC in condemning the senseless killing of innocent Israelis in Bulgaria,” said Public Advocate Bill de Blasio. “Words cannot express my sadness, and my thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed. Though the strength and resilience of the Israeli people will undoubtedly see them through this tragedy, the international community must escalate its efforts to crack down on terrorism around the globe.”

NYC Comptroller John C. Liu
 
“I and all New Yorkers vehemently condemn the vicious terrorist attack on Israeli tourists in Bulgaria. The residents of this City have a special relationship and deep ties with Israel, where many of our family members and friends reside. We send our thoughts and prayers to the families of those killed and injured. In this City, which has experienced the pain of terrorism first-hand, we know well that attacks against innocent civilians are attacks against all law-abiding nations. The perpetrators must be brought to justice.”
 
NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn
 
“The vicious terrorist attack on innocent Israeli civilians in Bulgaria is deeply disturbing. The people of the City of New York know the pain that that these depraved acts can cause, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim’s families and to the people of the State of Israel.
 
“As this attack occurred on the 18th anniversary of the bombing of a Jewish community center in Argentina that killed 85 people, I must reaffirm my stand that no amount of time should diminish our resolution to bring all these murderers to justice. People in our city and throughout the world, must stand together in denouncing this horrific attack and declare the right of individuals to live in peace, safety, and security.”

Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer

"I am saddened and outraged by the cowardly terrorist attack on Israeli teenagers in Bulgaria. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who were killed and injured, and I join with millions of others around the world in demanding that those who were behind this horrific crime be brought to justice."

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.
 
“The entire Bronx stands together to condemn Wednesday’s terrorist attack on Israeli citizens in Bulgaria. The thoughts and prayers of myself, my staff and all 1.4 million residents of our borough are with the victims and their families, and we hope that the perpetrators of this heinous act are swiftly brought to justice,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz

“The death of five Israeli tourists in the Bulgaria terrorist bombing is reprehensible, and the world should be rallying around Israel, which has a long record of fighting terrorism within its own borders and beyond. Brooklyn has the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, and we join our brothers and sisters there in mourning their tremendous loss and in condemning this unprovoked attack against us all.”
 
Former NYC Comptroller Bill Thompson
 
“Wednesday’s terrorist attack against Israeli vacationers in Bulgaria was an abhorrent and cowardly act. My deepest thoughts and prayers, and those of all New Yorkers, are with the families of the innocent victims who perished and were injured in the bombing. This barbaric act of terrorism cannot be tolerated in a civil society. I condemn this senseless attack and we stand united with our allies the Israeli people in the fight against terrorism.”

Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims in Israel and Bulgaria.  This is a sad reminder of the need to always remain vigilant in the face of terrorism around the world.  Peace-loving peoples and nations across the globe must remain united and aggressive in working to defeat hate and terrorism.”

Westchester Board of Legislators Chairman Ken Jenkins

“Once again, innocent people have lost their lives because of the murderous aims of a terrorist. While it is not yet apparent if this terrorist was working alone or not, this evil act should be condemned around the world and all those responsible be identified and brought to justice. The violence against Israel must stop, period. This horrible act reconfirms the importance of fighting terrorism everywhere and supporting Israel in its efforts to stop all of the hatred-fueled violence directed against its people.”

The original press release distributed by the Jewish Community Relations Council can be found here.