Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Monday drew parallels between the April Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir and the October 7 Hamas assault on Israel, calling for the world to unite in the fight against terrorism.
In an exclusive interview with ANI, Smotrich also referred to the latest attack in Jerusalem on Sunday, where two gunmen opened fire inside a bus, killing six passengers and injuring 10 others. “When I heard of this, I remembered the massacre in Pahalgam… and that reminded me of October 7,” he said.
The Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 claimed 26 civilian lives, prompting India to launch Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Similarly, the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack left over 1,200 dead in Israel, with dozens still held hostage in Gaza.
Smotrich stressed that terrorism is a global challenge that must be countered collectively. “This is one battle of the free world, which seeks to defend freedom, democracy, and dignity against evil forces. One day it hits you, another day it hits me. Anyone who thinks it will skip them might wake up too late,” he warned.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condemned the Jerusalem bus attack on Monday, expressing condolences to the bereaved families and wishing a speedy recovery for the injured. “India condemns terrorism in all its forms and stands firm in its policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism,” PM Modi posted on X.