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Israel’s top diplomat for the Southeast U.S. issued a statement expressing condolences and solidarity following the terror attack that killed at least 15 revelers in the early hours of New Year’s Day in New Orleans.
Two Israeli citizens were among the injured as a former U.S. Army service member authorities said was inspired by Islamic State used a rented pickup truck to plow through crowds on Bourbon Street, killing at least 15 and injuring dozens more.
“A heavy heart today following the devastating New Orleans attack,” Consul General Anat Sultan-Dadon wrote on X and in the consulate’s email newsletter on Jan. 1. “My thoughts are with the bereaved families and the beautiful souls tragically lost, and my prayers are for a full and speedy recovery to the injured, including two young Israeli citizens.”
The attacks cast a pall over the AllState Sugar Bowl, a college football playoff game featuring the University of Georgia and Notre Dame. The matchup was postponed until Thursday to give the city’s first responders and security personnel time to reset. The game drew nearly 70,000 spectators and was carried off without incident.
“As a nation that knows the horrific reality of terror, Israel stands with the people of New Orleans and the American people at this difficult time. Terror will not prevail,” Ms. Sultan-Dadon wrote.
Israel’s consulate in Atlanta focuses on seven Southeastern U.S. states, including Mississippi, but not Louisiana, which is covered by its Houston diplomatic office.
“I instructed Israel’s consul general in Houston to immediately deploy a representative to the scene,” Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’arsaid in a statement. “Terror has no place in our world. Israel stands in solidarity with New Orleans and the United States.”
A UGA student was among those critically injured in the attack, University President Jere Morehead announced in a statement Wednesday expressing that the university would stand by those in its community affected by the tragedy.