Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich drew a poignant comparison between the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel and the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam massacre in Jammu and Kashmir to the recent terror attack in Jerusalem, where two terrorists opened fire on passengers at a bus stop, killing six and wounding ten.
Smotrich urged the free world to stand together against terrorism and emphasized the common trauma these acts represent on a global scale. He emphasized that the struggle for freedom, democracy, and human dignity against radical and malevolent forces is a worldwide struggle, not just an Israeli or Indian one.
26 victims, including recently married couples, were killed in the vicious terrorist attack known as the Pahalgam attack, which targeted Hindu tourists.
Significant diplomatic and security repercussions resulted from this incident, notably India’s May 7, 2025, retaliatory Operation Sindoor, a precision military strike that targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. These attacks, which attracted international notice, were a component of India’s strategic response to terrorism.
Similarly, Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attacks were a massive, well-planned assault that included thousands of rockets fired into Israel along with militant raids, killing over 1200 people and seizing numerous hostages. This strike, which sparked a significant ongoing conflict and worldwide criticism, was the worst assault on Israeli citizens in decades.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a strong condemnation of the Jerusalem bus assault, expressed sympathy to the families of the victims, and reiterated India’s zero tolerance policy for terrorism in all its manifestations. India supports Israel and any nations that are dedicated to combating terrorism.
Smotrich’s speech emphasized the need for international cooperation in the fight against terrorism, emphasizing that terrorist acts are a common danger that can happen in any country at any moment. In order to counter the “evil forces” that threaten the liberties that democratic countries value, he urged swift international action.
By connecting Israel’s and India’s experiences via their unique tragedies and responses, the recent episodes underscore the persistent threats faced by terrorism in various countries and emphasize the necessity of international collaboration in the fight against terrorism.
