Schupak was reportedly killed next a close friend with whom he travelled to yeshiva each day, who was also injured in the bombing.
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau also sent his condolences, writing on Twitter: “Incredibly saddened to learn about the death of a young Canadian in the terrorist attack in Jerusalem. I’m sending his family and friends my deepest condolences. I’m also thinking of those who were injured. Canada condemns this violence in the strongest possible terms.”
Nineteen people were injured in two explosions in West Jerusalem this morning in what is suspected to be a double terror attack, with a further bomb defused last night on the light rail track near Jerusalem Central Bus Station around 10pm last night.
The first explosion was heard at 07:05 this morning, near a bus station at the Givat Sha'ul Junction on the outskirts of Jerusalem, where Schupak was killed. Another 14 people were injured at the scene and were taken for medical treatment.
Police say a second explosion was heard at 07:35 near Ramot Junction in Jerusalem, near the bus station there. Three people were injured at the scene and evacuated for medical treatment.
Aryeh Shtsupak, age 16, was killed in the Jerusalem bombings this week
Prime minister Yair Lapid said in a statement this afternoon that an “extensive” effort involving the security services, police, and military is underway to find the bombers, describing this attack as “different from what we have seen in recent years”.
Paying tribute to Schupak and those wounded in the attack, Lapid said: “I would first like to send my condolences and the condolences of the Government of Israel to the family of Aryeh Shechopek, of blessed memory. He was a boy who never wronged anyone in the world, and he was murdered simply because he was Jewish. I also wish a speedy and full recovery to the wounded.
He then addressed the attack itself: “The first incident is the attack in Jerusalem. This event is different from what we have seen in recent years. An extensive intelligence effort is now underway that will lead us to find these heinous terrorists, those behind them, and those who provided them with weapons.
“I want to say to the citizens of Israel: We will find them. They can run, they can hide — it won't help them; the security forces will reach them. If they resist, they will be eliminated. If not, we will punish them to the fullest extent of the law.
“In the situation assessment today, we ordered the reinforcement of forces in the Jerusalem area in the coming days, and to intensify our search in all the relevant areas. The IDF, the ISA and the Israel Police are deployed in the area at this very moment to ensure that there will be no further attacks.
“The second event is the kidnapping of Tiran Pero - a young man who was supposed to celebrating his 18th birthday tomorrow - who was fatally injured in a car accident in Jenin. I spoke today with Tiran's father. According to the family's testimony, the kidnappers entered the hospital, disconnected a child who was fighting for his life from medical equipment, and kidnapped his body.
“Israel has proven in recent months that there is no place and no terrorist that it does not know how to reach, from the Kasbah in Nablus, to the refugee camp in Jenin, and other fronts near and far. If Tiran's body is not returned, the kidnappers will pay a heavy price.
“The State of Israel has been dealing with terrorism since the day it was founded. Our enemies need to know that we stand united and strong against them. We are one nation that knows how to stand together against those who seek our demise.”
