Benjamin Netanyahu Says Souls of Nations Unshakeable After Delhi Car Blast

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a philosophically resonant statement on Wednesday declaring that the souls of nations remain unshakeable despite terrorist attacks, responding to the deadly car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort with words emphasizing spiritual and cultural resilience. Netanyahu addressed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserting that while terrorism can cause immediate physical devastation, it cannot undermine the fundamental character and values of societies built upon thousands of years of civilization and accumulated wisdom.
The personal element of Netanyahu’s message was evident as he and his wife Sara conveyed sympathies to families bereaved by the Monday evening tragedy that claimed multiple lives. The Israeli Prime Minister’s words reflected empathy rooted in Israel’s own painful experience with terrorism spanning decades. Netanyahu’s pledge that “Israel stands strong with you in sorrow and in strength” acknowledged both the immediate grief following the attack and the sustained determination required to confront terrorism effectively through comprehensive security measures, intelligence cooperation, technological innovation, and diplomatic coordination at bilateral and multilateral levels.
Netanyahu’s characterization of India and Israel as ancient civilizations standing on eternal truths provided sweeping historical and philosophical context for understanding their contemporary partnership. The Israeli Prime Minister suggested that both nations possess spiritual and cultural foundations that enable them to withstand violence without compromising essential values. His declaration that “terror may strike our cities, but it will never shake our souls” articulated a fundamental distinction between physical attacks and spiritual resilience, suggesting that the latter provides inexhaustible resources for confronting challenges posed by violent extremism. The metaphor of light outshining darkness conveyed optimism about civilization’s capacity to triumph over nihilistic violence through sustained commitment to democratic principles and human dignity.
Indian security authorities have launched comprehensive investigation into the car blast, with the National Investigation Agency taking primary responsibility after the Ministry of Home Affairs formally recognized the terrorist nature of the attack. Intelligence sources indicate that the explosion resulted from operations by a Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist cell, prompting investigators to pursue exhaustive inquiries into the network’s structure, operational methods, financing mechanisms, and connections to broader terrorist infrastructure. The NIA has established a specialized investigative team supervised by senior officers of Superintendent rank and above, with mandates including determining all circumstances surrounding the explosion, identifying every individual involved in planning and executing the attack, and mapping the complete support infrastructure that enabled the operation.
Global responses to the Delhi car blast have demonstrated widespread international support for India and recognition of terrorism as a challenge requiring coordinated action and sustained cooperation. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar had previously offered condolences and emphasized Israel’s support for India’s counter-terrorism efforts through bilateral cooperation mechanisms. The incident occurred near the Subhash Marg traffic signal when a slow-moving Hyundai i20 exploded around 7 pm, causing at least eight fatalities and numerous injuries while damaging multiple vehicles. As investigations progress and authorities work to prevent similar incidents, the international community remains united in supporting India’s efforts to bring perpetrators to justice and enhance security measures to protect citizens from terrorist threats.