Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly condemned the series of attacks claimed by Islamic State (ISIS) that left at least 128 murdered in Paris on Saturday, saying his country stood side by side with France.
Marches in solidarity with France are expected in Tel Aviv and Ramallah this evening.
A series of attacks, including seven supposed suicide bombers, murdered at least 128 in Paris Friday night. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attacks, which French President Francois Hollande condemned as an "act of war."
"Israel will be on France's side in the fight against terrorism," Netanyahu said in a statement late Friday. A senior official said Saturday the premier had ordered his security services to supply "any assistance" requested by France in its bid to catch all those responsible.
President Reuven Rivlin also responded to the attacks, saying, "we are deeply grieved by the murderous terrorist attack yesterday, in the heart of Paris. On behalf of the citizens of Israel, I send my sincere condolences to the French people and to the families who lost their loved ones."
"The State of Israel stands alongside you in your uncompromising struggle against terrorism. Terrorism strikes indiscriminately, striking and killing the innocent. We, citizens of the free world, in the face of this threat, we stand united in our struggle against those who seek to kill and maim, and to use violence and destruction. Our prayers are with the injured for a swift and full recovery.”
Israel lowered its flag to half mast Saturday, while in Tel Aviv Israelis are expected to attend an evening event organized to show support. French Ambassador Patrick Maisonnave is expected to talk.
In Ramallah, too, a march is due in front of the French cultural center in the early evening.
Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said, "our people are deeply shocked and angered, but mostly saddened by these events aimed at hitting civil life in the wonderful city of Paris. We express sympathy and solidarity with France as a whole as well as to the victims' families."
Ironically, Abbas and his Fatah faction have actively been inciting terrorist attacks against Jews in Israel. Also ironic is the fact that Abbas refused to condemn the terrorist attack Friday evening in which two Jews were shot to death south of Hevron, Judea.
Hosam Zomlot, an official with Abbas' Fatah party and one of the organizers, said protesters would carry candles and raise the French flag in the center of Ramallah.
"This is totally and utterly unacceptable and condemned in the hearts of all Palestinians," he told AFP.
AFP contributed to this report.