JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel Police Chief Yohanan Danino in U.S. meetings with FBI and law enforcement officials is expected to discuss the Boston Marathon attack, among other topics.
Danino and other senior Israel Police officers left Israel on Tuesday for 10 days of meetings in New York and Washington. The visit had been scheduled several weeks ago.
The officials will look at strengthening cooperation between Israeli police and police departments throughout the United States. The meetings with the FBI were to discuss cooperation in fighting terrorism and now, according to Israeli reports, will discuss Monday’s attack in Boston.
Meanwhile, Israeli leaders offered condolences to the United States and President Obama over the marathon bombings.
"Permit me to express our solidarity with the bereaved families in Boston," President Shimon Peres said during his Independence Day reception for the foreign diplomatic corps. "Three people lost their lives, 140 were wounded and I want to send on behalf of all of us, our condolences to all the families and wish a speedy recovery to all the injured.
"When it comes to events like this, all of us are one family. We feel a part of the people who paid such a high price. God bless them. Today the real problem is terror and terror is not an extension of policy, their policy is terror, their policy is to threaten. Terrorists divide people, they kill innocent people."
Also at the reception, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "A day of enjoyment in Boston was turned into a day of terror. We send our condolences to President Obama, the American people and the bereaved families. On this day and on any day, Israel stands shoulder to shoulder with the American people. We are partners in freedom and in seeking a better future for all humanity."
Egypt and Saudi Arabia also condemned the Boston attack and sent condolence messages to Obama, the Associated Press reported. Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood also condemned the bombings and offered condolences, saying that Islamic law does not condone violence against civilians.
