Two Israelis were among the more than 30 surviving victims injured in the recent terror attack in New Orleans. These two individuals, both in their mid-to-late twenties, were reservists who had been granted leave from their military duties in Israel to travel to the United States as tourists. The families of the injured Israelis have requested that their names remain private.
Elad Shoshan, the Consul of Israel for the Southwest United States, traveled from his base in Houston, Texas to New Orleans following the tragic truck-ramming attack that claimed the lives of 14 individuals who were celebrating New Year's Day on Bourbon Street.
According to Shoshan, the two injured Israelis had recently completed their service as soldiers in Israel and were called up from reserve duty to participate in the conflict. Seeking a break from the intensity of their military responsibilities, they decided to embark on a month-and-a-half-long trip to the United States.
Upon learning of the Israelis' injuries, Shoshan promptly flew to New Orleans and coordinated with federal authorities. He clarified that the Israelis were not specifically targeted in the attack, which was aimed at inflicting harm on Americans and tourists from around the world.
Shoshan emphasized that the victims were in the path of the ramming incident and were struck early on during the attack. The tragic event was not directed at Israelis or Jewish individuals but was a senseless act of violence intended to cause maximum damage and loss of life.
