Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu order security forces Friday afternoon to crackdown on any possible abettors of the terrorist who carried out Friday’s deadly ramming attack in Jerusalem.
He directed that units in the area be reinforced and that investigations and arrests be carried out immediately in the terrorist's circle.
In addition, Netanyahu has decided to take immediate action to seal and demolish the home of the terrorist.
The terrorist, 31-year-old Hussein Karaka, a resident of the Issawiya neighborhood of eastern Jerusalem and an Israeli-Arab carrying full citizenship, was eliminated during the attack.
President Isaac Herzog commented: "Just before Shabbat, our hearts are pained by the terrible news of a despicable terrorist who took the lives of a little boy and a young man in a car-ramming attack in Jerusalem. Together with the People of Israel I grieve with the families and pray for the recovery of the injured."
Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir has promised to close of the Issawiya neighborhood of Jerusalem with police roadblocks as part of the effort to restore security to the public.
“Yet again [on] a Friday,” said Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana (Likud), referencing last month’s deadly synagogue shooting.
“Yet again, screaming, pain, and mourning. Yet again, children.”
“I offer my condolences to the families who lost all that was dear to them. I wish the injured a quick recovery, and I give my full backing to the security forces who eliminated the terrorist, and who, God-willing, will impose a heavy price on anyone who aided him.”
Deputy Prime Minister Yariv Levin commented: "I am shocked by the terrible terrorist attack in Jerusalem. A vile terrorist murders Jews with unimaginable cruelty whose only sin was being Jews. I send my condolences from the bottom of my heart to the families of the murdered, and I wish recovery to the injured."
Minister Bezalel Smotrich commented: "It hurts, it hurts, it hurts. The responsibility is heavy and keeps me up at night. I pledge to do everything, everything, to bring security to the citizens of Israel with God's help. We are dealing with monsters who remind us again and again who the real enemy is and we must all be brothers and united in the war against him in an uncompromising fight against terrorism, with harsh measures against its supporters, and with a tremendous building and development boom in all parts of our country that will make it clear to the enemy that he will never achieve his goal of expelling us from our country."
MK Uri Maklev, who arrived at the scene of the attack shortly after it happened, commented to Israel National News: "This is among the most tragic of scenes. We are seeing escalation. We must restore security to the population."
Other top officials have joined in condemning the attack. Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion condemned the murderous attack in Jerusalem, saying: "The heart aches and weeps at the sight. A despicable terrorist takes the lives of innocent children and adults just because they are Jews. This is another event that indicates a tense period that requires vigilance. I support the security forces in their work in the investigation of the incident and in the war for the security of the citizens of Israel and the residents of Jerusalem."
Minister of Construction and Housing commented: "It is a difficult Sabbath Eve when a terrorist imbued with hatred and evil harms innocent citizens and small children with the aim of murdering people. I ask our all of Israel to stop for a moment the preparations for Shabbat and pray for the healing of the wounded. I thank the security forces for neutralizing the terrorist. Palestinian terrorism must not be allowed to rise. You have to act hard and firmly against the threats and their senders."
The Minister of the Negev, the Galilee and National Resilience, Yitzhak Wasserlauf, commented:" The heart breaks for young lives that were taken at the hands of a wrongdoer. Our hearts go out to the families of the murdered. We wish the injured a speedy recovery. In the face of terrorism, there is only one way - to take a heavy hand, without consideration and without legal and political restrictions. Minister Ben-Gvir must be given extensive powers in eastern Jerusalem, in order to implement his policy, to overwhelm and burn the nests of Palestinian terrorism and incitement, including the destruction of houses, the denial of residency and the deportation of families terrorists".
Minister Nir Barkat commented: "My heart is broken by the murderous attack in Jerusalem which has claimed so far two murdered members of the same family including a Jewish boy of only 6 years old whose whole future was ahead of him. Together with the entire nation of Israel, I pray for the speedy recovery of the wounded. Each terrorist receives from Abu Mazen a payment of 4 million NIS for the murder he committed. The Palestinian Authority encourages terrorism by paying 4 million NIS to each terrorist for murdering Jews. It is unimaginable that Abu Mazen and the Palestinian Authority pay terrorists for murdering innocent Jews and the world is silent. We must do everything to stop this as soon as possible."
MK Almog Cohen commented: "It is important to mention the armed citizens who prevented a much larger attack. I never discuss operative steps, I don't think it is right to discuss what needs to be done right now. It is possible and necessary to take revenge on terrorists and create a balance of threats."
Yisrael Beyteinu leader Avigdor Liberman commented: "This is a serious attack in Jerusalem before Shabbat. A despicable terrorist murders innocent civilians - adults and children. Deterrence and a sense of security must return to every part of the country, we must not continue to surrender to terrorism. I send my condolences to the families of the murdered and wish for a speedy recovery of the injured."
MK Danny Danon commented: "On Sabbath Eve, a terrorist went out to run over children. The cruelty and inhumanity of our enemies is unimaginable. Our response must be severe and disproportionate - the nests of terrorism in eastern Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria must be cleaned out, once and for all."
MK Zvi Sukot from the Religious Zionist Party commented, "My heart breaks at the sight of the attack in Jerusalem. Once again Jews were harmed only because they are Jews, and on our watch. We pray for the recover of the wounded.
The head of the Beit El local council commented: "Another wake-up call for all of us to understand that we are in a place where people have set a goal of murder and death for themselves. We want to be free in our country and we will fight a brutal war against terrorism until we completely eradicate it, otherwise it will rise up again. We are determined and will continue to build and develop in response to murder and evil. My heart goes out to the family of the murdered child and I pray for the recovery and safety of the injured."
MK Ze'ev Elkin commented: "Once again a terrible attack in our city. The terrorist deliberately harmed small children. The blood boils. Immediate and determined measures are required against the terrorism that has reared its head in Jerusalem. We will take every real and determined step against the terror of the murderers. In the face of the enemy and in the face of terrorism, we are all the iron wall of one and united nation, despite all the difficult differences between us."
MK Benny Gantz commented: "I feel great sorrow for the terrible attack in Jerusalem, my heart goes out to the families of the murdered. I send wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured and praise the forces that neutralized the terrorist. In the face of the fight against terrorism we are all united. We do not subdue terrorism with slogans and headlines, but with determined and responsible activity and the full support of any such activity."
Not everyone has condemned the attack. A spokesperson for Hamas has issued a statement praising the culprit for 'a heroic deed'.