Israeli President Reuven Rivlin sent a letter of condolence to Egyptian President Abdal Fatah el-Sisi on Monday for the twin suicide bombing attacks carried out by the Islamic State against Egyptian Coptic churches on Palm Sunday.

At least 28 people were killed at St. George’s Cathedral in the city of Tanta, while at least 17 people died at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Alexandria, the historic seat of the Coptic pope. Dozens more were injured in the blasts.

“I was shocked to hear of the tragic bombing attacks on innocent Egyptians at places of worship in Tanta and Alexandria,” Rivlin wrote. “On behalf of my wife, Nechama, the people of Israel and myself, I send our sincere condolences to Your Excellency and to all the people of Egypt at this difficult time.” He asked el-Sisi to convey his heartfelt wishes to the families of the victims and to the injured.

In a statement, Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely emphasized, “Terror doesn’t stop in Stockholm, St. Petersburg, Berlin, London or Jerusalem. Today’s terror attack near Cairo reminds us that Egypt too is under attack.”

“Alongside the sorrow and grief, we need to join forces against the forces of evil and terror with an iron fist,” she added. “Israel is part of the international campaign against terror wherever it strikes and is ready to assist in order to rein it in.”

[Photo: Emily Alhadeff / Flickr]