Donald Trump condemns ‘outrageous’ terror attack in Tel Aviv

The presumptive Republican candidate for the upcoming US presidential elections, Donald Trump, on Thursday condemned the terror attack a day earlier in Tel Aviv in which four people were gunned down by two Palestinian terrorists posing as patrons at a cafe.

Trump took to Facebook Thursday to denounce the “outrageous terrorist shootings” and to express his condolences to the families of the victims.

“The American people stand strong with the people of Israel, who have suffered far too long from terrorism,” wrote Trump, adding that “Israel’s security is a matter of paramount importance to me and the American people.”

Trump said Palestinian terror group Hamas’s praise for the attack was “despicable” and that the depiction by some of the attackers as heroes was “uncivilized.”

“One Palestinian ‘news organization’ even referred to the shootings, in which the assailants dressed up as observant Jews, as a ‘Ramadan treat,’ Trump wrote. (Some initial reports had incorrectly indicated that the two terrorists were clad as ultra-Orthodox Jews; in fact, the two were dressed formally, and carried briefcases.)

Trump went on to blame Palestinian incitement for the violence — as did a number of Israeli leaders for the attack Wednesday night — and dozens of previous attacks over the eight-month wave of terror that has so far claimed the lives of 33 Israelis.

“We must recognize the parallel horror of the culture of religious hatred that permeates many Palestinian quarters. From schools that indoctrinate toddlers to grow up to kill Israelis to the daily menu of hate that spews forth from various ‘news organizations,’ change is long overdue in the Palestinian territories,” he said.

“Let us begin the arduous task of creating a future where peace can take root and terror finds no refuge,” he concluded.

Trump’s message came a day after Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton denounced the “heinous” attack in a statement just hours after the attack.

“I stand in solidarity with the Israeli people in the face of these ongoing threats, and in unwavering support of the country’s right to defend itself. Israel’s security must remain non-negotiable,” the presumptive Democratic nominee said.