Last week, in Israel and in Iraq, the world once again saw the ruthless face of terrorism. Anywhere that terror strikes-in the Middle East or in the streets of Lower Manhattan-it's an assault on all free people. And in the face of barbaric acts such as last Tuesday's suicide bombings in Jerusalem and Baghdad, our solidarity and determination to prevail must be unflinching.


That's why this Tuesday I went to Israel. In Jerusalem, I walked the streets, rode the buses, and demonstrated that the people of New York stand united with the people of Israel against terrorism. New Yorkers have always felt a special kinship with Israel-and that feeling is stronger now than ever. Like Israelis, we're members of a free society who cherish our liberties. No matter what they do to shake our will, we will never let the terrorists win. But no one should ever mistake our shared devotion to democracy for evidence of weakness. New Yorkers support without reservation Israel's right to take appropriate actions against the people responsible for last Tuesday's horrible atrocity, and to seek out anyone, anywhere who aided and abetted them.


Last week's terror attacks took place halfway around the world-but they brought loss and grief to many of our neighbors. In particular, I want to express the sorrow that all New Yorkers feel to the relatives of Rabbi Shalom Mordechai Reinitz of Brooklyn, Goldie and Shmuel Taubenfeld of New Square, and Tehilla Nathanson of Monsey -all victims of the Jerusalem bus bombing. As a city that has been struck by terrorists, we share your anguish and your outrage.


Our hearts also go out to the members and staff of the United Nations who lost loved ones and colleagues in the Baghdad bombing. Many of those killed were from the UN's offices here in New York, the world's second home and the UN's headquarters city. Such an attack, aimed at people whose sole mission was to help establish peace and relieve suffering, can only be called depraved-and your loss is also ours.


After the attack on the World Trade Center, offers of help and expressions of support poured into New York City from people around the world. That meant more to us than we can ever say, and we'll never forget those who stood by us then. Now, in the face of last week's barbaric crimes, it's our duty to show solidarity, demonstrate our humanity, and proclaim our resolve to stop terrorism everywhere.