'We defeated terror in the past, we'll defeat it in the future': Israeli politicians react to terror shooting that killed 6

Following the shooting attack earlier today in which six people were killed and and at least 12 others were injured, Israeli leaders expressed their outrage at the shooting, and the need to confront the terror sources which led to it. 

President Isaac Herzog was one of the first to comment on the shooting, calling it “a painful and difficult morning.” 

“Innocent civilians, women, men, and children were brutally murdered and wounded in cold blood on a bus in Jerusalem by vile and evil terrorists,” Herzog said, before calling out the heroism of those who confronted the terrorists. “In the face of this barbarity, we saw extraordinary acts of heroism which prevented even further loss of innocent lives.” 

Herzog said the attack should remind the world what Israel is fighting. 

“This shocking attack reminds us once again that we are fighting absolute evil. The world must understand what we are up against, and that terror will never defeat us,” Herzog concluded. “My heart goes out to the bereaved families, and I pray for the full and swift recovery of the injured.” 

I would like to state as clearly as possible: These murders and attacks, in all sectors, will not weaken us. They will only increase our determination to complete the mission we have taken upon ourselves, in Gaza, Judea and Samaria, and everywhere.

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) September 8, 2025

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacks would increase Israel’s “determination to complete the mission we have taken upon ourselves, in Gaza, in Judea and Samaria, and everywhere.” 

Speaking from the scene of the attack, Netanyahu said that Israel is “still at war on several fronts.” 

Prime Minister Netanyahu at the scene of the terrorist attack in Jerusalem:
"We are engaged in pursuit and are cordoning off the villages from which the murderers came. We will apprehend whoever aided and dispatched them, and will take even stronger steps"https://t.co/tOl6aV5CtF pic.twitter.com/Gj0tWiCIlD

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) September 8, 2025

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, currently on a state visit to Hungary, said the attacks demonstrate why Israel cannot accept a Palestinian state in the territories of Judea and Samaria, noting that such a state “would have one goal only, the elimination of the State of Israel.” 

שר החוץ גדעון סער: ״אנחנו דוחים לחלוטין את הניסיונות הנוכחיים לכפות על ישראל לקבל מדינת טרור פלסטינית בלב ארצנו הקטנה. המחבלים היום הגיעו משטחי הרשות הפלסטינית. להקמת מדינת טרור כזו תהיה מטרה אחת - השמדת מדינת ישראל״@diklaaharon pic.twitter.com/5cOMsDhhOc

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) September 8, 2025

Sa’ar also called out Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for calling for an embargo against Israel, noting that one of those killed in the terror attack was an immigrant from Spain. 

At the very same time that Spanish Prime Minister @sanchezcastejon attacked Israel - Palestinian terrorists attacked and murdered six Israelis, among them Yaakov Pinto, a new immigrant from Spain.
Sánchez and his twisted ministers who justified the October 7 massacre,
has long… pic.twitter.com/GDixio65Zd

— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) September 8, 2025

Defense Minister Israel Katz condemned the “abominable murder of six innocent civilians at the hands of evildoers in the terrorist attack this morning in Jerusalem,” saying, “This abominable attack will have the most severe and far-reaching consequences. We will pursue terror everywhere.” 

“Whoever sponsors terror and directs terror will pay the full price,” Katz warned. 

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett sent a message of condolence and hope to the families of those killed and wounded. 

“The murderous enemy opened fire in order to kill as many Jews as possible, in the capital of our country,” Bennett wrote to social media. “Together with all the people of Israel, I send my condolences to the families and pray for the recovery of the wounded.” 

“This is a day of unbearable hardship,” Bennett concluded. “The heart of me and all the people of Israel is with you.” 

Opposition politician Benny Gantz, head of the Blue and White party, said that Israel “must strike this murderous terror with force and determination.” 

“The heart breaks this morning with the murderous attack in Jerusalem,” Gantz posted to 𝕏. “My heart is with the families of the murdered, and I wish a swift and full recovery to the wounded, and seek to strengthen those who sought contact, neutralized the terrorists, and saved lives.” 

Gantz also said that Israel has to take the fight to the sources of terror. 

“We must strike this murderous terror with force and determination, in the West Bank, in Gaza, and everywhere,” Gantz continued. “Together we defeated it in the past - together we will defeat it this time as well.”