We pray for the peace and safety of Israel and stand together with all its citizens as it once again faces rocket attacks from Gaza.

Our thoughts are especially with the families of Aaron Smadja, Itzik Emsalem and Mira Sharf in their grief, and with the wounded.

We think too of the many traumatized people, especially all the children on both sides.

Israel cannot simply allow its cities and citizens to be attacked. At the same time we pray that this conflict should not escalate any further and that there should be no further loss of innocent life.