Statement on Iranian Missile Attacks of October 1, 2024

October 1, 2024

Largest missile attack on Israel since its founding in 1948

Since October 7, 2023, the world has urged Israel to exercise restraint in the face of repeated, multi-front assaults on its sovereignty and the safety of its 10 million citizens.  Now is the time for solidarity and action.

On the eve of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, we reaffirm Israel's inherent right to defend itself against any threats to its sovereignty and safety. The Simon Wiesenthal Center stands firm in its belief that every nation has the right to protect its citizens from violence and terror.

In the wake of the 181 ballistic missiles fired at Israel by Iran, the United States and other democracies must support Israel. Now is not the time for a cease-fire. To be clear, the Iranian attacks and those of its proxies also threaten the security of our nation and we urge the U.S. and the international community to respond appropriately.  

The challenges facing Israel are unprecedented, and it is crucial for the international community, led by the United States, to stand by its side, ensuring that it can defend itself effectively against forces that pose an existential threat to the Jewish State.

For further information, please email Michele Alkin, Director of Global Communications at malkin@wiesenthal.com or Erik Simon at esimon@wiesenthal.com, join the Center on Facebook, or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent directly to your Twitter feed. 

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization. It holds consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS, and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO).