Massacre in Jerusalem

 
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 4 Killed, 8 wounded in Jerusalem terrorist attack

This morning, just after 7:00 p.m. Israel time, two terrorists attacked worshippers at the Kehilat Yaakov synagogue, in the Har Nof neighborhood of Jerusalem. Using axes, butchers knives and a gun, they killed four Israelis and wounded an additional 8, 4 critically, before being shot and killed by police.

 


 

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) immediately claimed responsibility for the attack but this has yet to be confirmed. A Hamas spokesperson in Gaza immediately "welcomed" the massacre as, "a quality development," and "an appropriate response."


Three of the dead were American citizens and the fourth was British.


The murdered were Rabbi Moshe Twersky, head of "Torat Moshe" religious seminary, Rabbi Calman Levine, Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Goldberg and Rabbi Aryeh Kopinsky . The funerals took place this evening.

Thousands attended this afternoons funerals of the 4 murdered Israelis


The attack was carried out by two Palestinian men, residents of East Jerusalem's Jabel al-Mukaber neighborhood, named as cousins, 22 year old Uday and 27 year old Rassan Abu Jamal.

 
 

Yosef Posternak, who was at the synagogue at the time of the attack, told Israel Radio that about 25 worshippers were inside when the attackers entered.

 

 "I saw people lying on the floor, blood everywhere. People were trying to fight with (the attackers) but they didn't have much of a chance," he said.

 

Magen David Adom  Akiva Pollack, the first paramedic at the scene of the massacre in the  synagogue
Magen David Adom Akiva Pollack, the first paramedic at the scene of the massacre in the synagogue - contains graphic descriptions

Netanyahu - "Abbas has declared war on Israel"

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in response: "We will convene a special security consultation. The attack is a direct result of Hamas and Abbas incitement. The international community is irresponsibly ignoring the incitement. We will respond forcefully to the heinous murder of Jews who came to pray and were killed by debased murderers."

Police storming synangogue
Police storming synangogue


 Speaker of the Knesset Yuli Adelstein said the attack was a direct result of Palestinian incitement against Jews. Minister of the Economy hardliner Naftali Bennet said Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has declared war against Israel. "He is the one responsible for the bloodshed of worshippers."


 

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said: "Jerusalem is hurting and grieving. Worshippers were slain at a house of prayer in the center of Jerusalem in a horribly cruel murder...We will not let terrorism prevail...I promise to Jerusalem residents that we will keep on fighting and do everything in our power to restore quiet."

 

 Minister of Intelligence Yuval Steinitz also accused Abbas of carrying the responsibility for the horrible massacre and to the wave of attacks and riots in Jerusalem.

 

Secretary of State John Kerry called Netanyau and expressed his condolences and condemned the attack. He also called on the Palestinian leaders to halt the incitement. "The attack has no place in human behavior," he added.

 

Israeli media described the scene as "a massacre." Palestinian media appeared to link the attack to the discovery of a Palestinian bus driver, who was found hanged in his bus nearby on Sunday night. This despite the fact that an autopsy conducted in the presence of a Palestinian pathologist, found no evidence of foul play and rules the death a suicide. The family insists the man was killed by Jews.

British Sky News report
British Sky News report


 Hamas Spokesman Mushir al-Masri said Tuesday the terror attack was revenge for the "killing" of the Palestinian bus driver.


 Fatah spokesman Ahmed Assaf said the attack was "a natural response to the recent events" in Jerusalem.

 

However, Abbas' office issued a statement condemning the attack. Former minister in the Palestinian government Ashraf al-Ajami told i24news the Palestinian Authority condemns any attacks against innocent civilians whether Israeli or Palestinian.

ZAKA Chair. Yehuda Meshi Zahav at Scene of Attack in Har Nof
ZAKA Chair. Yehuda Meshi Zahav at Scene of Attack in Har Nof

EU Ambassador to Israel Lars Faarborg-Andersen said he was horrified, adding he "utterly condemns the despicable terror attack on worshippers at the Jerusalem synagogue."

 
 
 
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