Diamond Industry Reacts to Brussels Terrorist Attack

(IDEX Online News) – Diamond industry representatives have expressed their sorrow and horror at the recent terrorist attacks at Brussels’ Zaventem airport, a place familiar with many of the world’s diamantaires.

Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE) president Yoram Dvash said that he had been to the airport several times and that he knew the departures hall “like the back of his hand,” as do thousands of other Israeli diamantaires.

"But this is much bigger than the diamond industry. Just last weekend in Istanbul we saw innocent Israelis killed and wounded in a suicide bomb attack.”

"This is not new to us Israelis, but it is shocking all the same. We send our wishes for a speedy and full recovery for the injured and our condolences to the families of the people killed," said Dvash.

World Federation of Diamond Bourses president Ernie Blom expressed his shock over the bombing attacks and sent his personal wishes and those of his organization to the families of those killed and wounded, and the Belgian nation as a whole.

"Seeing the images on television and the Internet of the wrecked check-in counters therefore brings home to all of us even more strongly the shocking nature of this cowardly attack on innocent people. We send our sincere best wishes to the citizens of Belgium and stand in solidarity with them at this terribly difficult time,” he said.

In an expression of solidarity with the victims of the attack and the city of Brussels, a minute’s silence was held today (Wednesday) at the Antwerp World Diamond Centre.