The General Delegation of the PLO to the US strongly condemns the attack on the historic Church of the Multiplication at Tabgha in Israel. This is a price tag attack of habitual hostility and disregard for religious freedoms. The Israeli government, which in the past has failed to hold perpetrators accountable or to punish them for their attacks, must abide by international law and provide protection for religious and holy sites under its control. The international community must pressure the Israeli government to apprehend those responsible and punish them for their actions.
It is coincidental that yesterday another heinous and more horrible attack against the Emanuel AME Church, a historical African-American church in Charleston, SC took place where nine people were murdered and three people were wounded, in what the authorities described as a hate crime. The General Delegation of the PLO strongly opposes this attack and expresses sympathy with the families of those victims.
Attacks against holy and religious sites must not be tolerated neither in Charleston, South Carolina, nor in Tabgha, Israel. The whole world should stand united against those who try to fuel hate, racism and religious conflict.