Statement on New Zealand Shooting

Silver Spring, Md.--HIAS is deeply saddened by the mass shootings in two New Zealand mosques, and stands in solidarity with the Christchurch community and with the Muslim community around the world.

We see alarming parallels between this shooting and others that have happened in places of worship. At the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. At Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston, South Carolina. And at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

In response to the massacre in New Zealand, Mark Hetfield, HIAS’ President and CEO, stated, “This attack, like so many others, was motivated by hatred and bigotry. And just as deeply as we feel the horror of these attacks, we are pained by the fact that they are no longer surprising. We cannot just look to governments to solve this global epidemic of hate. We need to hold our leaders, ourselves, and one another accountable to stamp out bigotry and hate, wherever we see it. Love, inclusion and accountability are the answers.”

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