Prime Minister Naftali Bennett spoke with US President Joe Biden late Thursday, after a scheduled meeting was postponed due to twin suicide bombings at the Kabul airport, which killed at least 95 Afghans and 13 US troops, Afghan and U.S. officials said, in the deadliest day for US forces in Afghanistan since August 2011.
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Bennett expressed his deepest condolences, saying, "In the name of the citizens of Israel, I would like to express our deep sorrow at the American deaths in Kabul. Israel stands by the United States at this difficult time, like the US has always stood by us. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of the United States."
Prime Minister-designate and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said he was "shocked and saddened" by the Kabul attack, and repeated that Israel stood "shoulder to shoulder with the United States in the fight against terrorism."
I am shocked and saddened by the horrific terror attack in Kabul.
The prayers of the people of Israel are with the families of the civilians and soldiers who were murdered today.
We stand shoulder to shoulder with the United States in the fight against terrorism.
— יאיר לפיד - Yair Lapid🟠 (@yairlapid) August 26, 2021
Israeli Ambassador to the US Gilad Erdan tweeted that he was "heartbroken" at the news coming out of Kabul and sent his "deepest condolences" to the families of the Americans and the Afghans who were killed.
I am heartbroken by the news coming out of Kabul. I send my deepest condolences to the families of the Americans and Afghans who were killed. Israel honors the brave US service members who gave their lives to save so many.
Israel stands with the United States. 🇮🇱🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/PMDM4ffVnY
— Ambassador Gilad Erdan גלעד ארדן (@giladerdan1) August 26, 2021
The Biden-Bennett meeting has been rescheduled to take place later Friday at 10:25 a.m. EST, or 5:25 p.m. Israel time.
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