Staff Writer
Five
were killed and eight more wounded when two Palestinian men stormed a Jerusalem
synagogue in an apparent terrorist attack.
The attackers, cousins Uday and Ghassan Abu
Jamal, entered the building armed with a pistol and meat cleavers and began
attacking orthodox Jews who were praying there. The cousins were then killed in
a gunfight as police arrived moments later.
Three
victims of the attack held U.S. dual citizenship and one other was a British
citizen. One policeman responding to the incident was also killed in the
gunfight.
The
synagogue marks a holy site for both the Jews and Palestinian Muslims. The
Muslims believe it is the site where the prophet Muhammad ascended into heaven,
while to the Jews it marks the ground where historic temples once stood. A
long-standing tradition mandates while all may visit the holy site, only
Muslims may pray there.
The
site has been a source of controversy in recent times as some orthodox Jews
have argued for a change in this unwritten rule. Starting to pray at the site
was seen as a provocation to many of its Muslim followers.
The
Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas and president Barrack Obama have publicly
condemned the attack; Abbas also called for an end to Jewish “provocations”
surrounding the site. Israeli Prime Minister has vowed to respond “with a heavy
hand” and has ordered the destruction of the attackers’ homes.
The
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a small militant group, has
claimed the attackers as its members. It did not itself claim responsibility
for the attack. The Palestinian Hamas has praised the attack, taking to the
streets in Gaza with decorations and bowls of candy.
Pope
Francis had this to say about the incident, "From the bottom of my heart,
I appeal to all the parties involved to put an end to the spiral of hatred and
violence, and to take courageous decisions for reconciliation and peace. To
build peace is difficult but to live without it is torment."
