EU envoy urges ‘concrete action’ after rally

The European Union’s ambassador in Israel, Lars Faaborg-Andersen, releases a statement condemning the Paris attacks of the last few days, hoping that the mourning will be transformed into “concrete action.”

“I have been shocked and appalled by the utterly condemnable terrorist attack against Charlie Hebdo leaving twelve dead and the four people murdered in the despicable and anti-Semitic attack on the kosher supermarket in Paris,” Faaborg-Andersen says.

“Today’s march of a million people from France, Europe and all over the world is evidence not only of solidarity with the victims but of a determination to defend our common values of democracy, including freedom of speech and religion, against extremism and intolerance.”

Quoting the union’s foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, the ambassador adds that we now ensure “this pain transforms itself into concrete actions.” He adds: “I am confident that Europe will rise to the challenge.”