Israel Praises Jordan for Retaliating Against ISIS With Executions

Hours after the ISIS murder of a Jordanian pilot, Jordan executes two death row terrorists

Members of Al-Kaseasbeh, the tribe of Jordanian pilot, Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh, who is was murdered by the Islamic State group militants, light candles by posters with his picture and Arabic that reads "we are all Muath." AP Photo/Nasser Nasser

In a sickening twist on an already graphically violent battle against ISIS, Jordan executed two Iraqi al-Qaida prisoners, Sajida al-Rishawi and Zaid al-Karbouly, before sunrise Wednesday.

The heavy-handed response was praised by one of Jordan’s neighboring countries, Israel. Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman said in an official statement that Jordan’s King Abdullah deserved praise for “his prompt and forceful actions.” He also said that the Israeli people “support Jordan’s harsh and decisive response to the murder.”

Liberman didn’t stop there, though, stating that other countries should take notice of Jordan’s example.

“The leaders of the world must follow King Abdullah’s example in combatting terrorism in general, and ISIS in particular, because terrorism cannot be defeated by words but only by forceful action,” he said.

The execution of other convicted terrorists currently incarcerated in Jordan is expected to follow.

Terrorism cannot be defeated by words but only by forceful action.

— Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman