Israeli Cabinet honours victims of Pittsburgh synagogue shooting

(From left) Israeli Transportation and Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz, PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Cabinet Secretary Tzachi Braverman standing for a moment of silence during the weekly Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on Oct 28, 2018. PHOTO: REUTERS

JERUSALEM (REUTERS) - Israel's Cabinet stood for a moment's silence on Sunday (Oct 28) to honour the victims of a synagogue shooting that killed at least 11 worshippers in Pittsburgh.

"The entire nation of Israel mourns with the families of the murdered in the horrendous massacre at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the start of the weekly Cabinet session.

Saturday's shooting "is the biggest anti-Semitic crime" in the annals of the United States, he said, calling on the world to unite in the fight against anti-Semitism everywhere.

"It is hard to overstate the horror of the murder of Jews who congregate on the Sabbath and who were murdered only because they were Jews," Mr Netanyahu added.

A gunman yelling "all Jews must die" stormed the Tree of Life synagogue during Jewish Sabbath services, killing 11 worshippers and wounding six others, including four police officers, before he was arrested.

"On my behalf, on behalf of the government of Israel and the nation of Israel, I convey our heartfelt condolences to the families that have lost dear ones. We all pray for the speedy recovery of the wounded," Mr Netanyahu said.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.