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Palestinian attackers storm Jerusalem synagogue, killing 3 Americans, 1 Briton Palestinian attackers storm Jerusalem synagogue, killing 3 Americans, 1 Briton
(about 1 hour later)
JERUSALEM — Two Palestinians armed with knives, axes and a gun stormed a synagogue in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood on Tuesday, killing three Americans — including a prominent rabbi — and a British worshiper in one of the deadliest attacks in years in Jerusalem.JERUSALEM — Two Palestinians armed with knives, axes and a gun stormed a synagogue in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood on Tuesday, killing three Americans — including a prominent rabbi — and a British worshiper in one of the deadliest attacks in years in Jerusalem.
The attackers — identified by Palestinian media as residents of mostly Arab East Jerusalem — were then killed by police in an aftermath that vividly showed the razor-edge tensions in Jerusalem after weeks of bloodshed and clashes. The attackers were then killed by police in an aftermath that vividly showed the razor-edge tensions in Jerusalem after weeks of bloodshed and clashes over issues including a contested religious site.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Palestinian leaders of inciting violence and promised to “respond harshly.” In the Palestinian-controlled Gaza Strip, calls over loudspeakers praised the attackers. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Palestinian leaders of inciting violence and lauding attackers at “cultural heroes.”
Crowds in East Jerusalem hurled stones at Israeli police fanning out around the neighborhood where the attackers lived. Hours later, Netanyahu ordered the destruction of East Jerusalem homes of Palestinians who have carried out “terrorist” attacks over the past weeks — a tactic common a decade ago, but rarely used in recent years. He also took a step certain to stir more Palestinian outrage: ordering the destruction of homes in mostly Arab East Jerusalem of those linked to “terrorist” attacks over the past weeks. The home-razing tactic was common a decade ago, but rarely used in recent years.
Authorities said those killed included one Briton and three Americans — among them Rabbi Moshe Twersky, who taught at an English-speaking religious school in Jerusalem and was a member of one of the most respected families in Orthodox scholarship. In the Palestinian-controlled Gaza Strip, meanwhile, calls over loudspeakers praised the attackers, and crowds in East Jerusalem pelted Israeli security forces with rocks as they fanned out around the neighborhood of the assailants.
“This is a battle over Jerusalem,’’ he said in a nationally televised address hours after the attack, insisting that Israel would never give up their claims to the city.
Authorities said those killed included one Briton and three Americans — among them Rabbi Mosheh Twersky, who taught at an English-speaking religious school in Jerusalem and was a member of one of the most respected families in Orthodox scholarship.
The State Department identified the other Americans as Aryeh Kupinsky and Cary William Levine, but gave no other immediate details. Israeli authorities identified the British man as Avraham Goldberg.The State Department identified the other Americans as Aryeh Kupinsky and Cary William Levine, but gave no other immediate details. Israeli authorities identified the British man as Avraham Goldberg.
Some media reports, including the Jerusalem Post, described all the men as rabbis, and the Associated Press reported all had dual Israeli citizenship.Some media reports, including the Jerusalem Post, described all the men as rabbis, and the Associated Press reported all had dual Israeli citizenship.
The synagogue is located in a neighborhood, Har Nof, popular with Americans and others undertaking studies in Judaism. But Palestinians refer to the area by its former name, Deir Yassin, an Arab village they say was attacked by Jewish paramilitary units in April 1948 shortly before Israeli statehood. Palestinians say scores of civilians were killed, but Israel denies such accounts.The synagogue is located in a neighborhood, Har Nof, popular with Americans and others undertaking studies in Judaism. But Palestinians refer to the area by its former name, Deir Yassin, an Arab village they say was attacked by Jewish paramilitary units in April 1948 shortly before Israeli statehood. Palestinians say scores of civilians were killed, but Israel denies such accounts.
“Today’s vicious terrorist attack . . . represents a barbaric new low in the sad and outrageous history of such attacks,’’ said a statement from the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Daniel Shapiro.“Today’s vicious terrorist attack . . . represents a barbaric new low in the sad and outrageous history of such attacks,’’ said a statement from the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Daniel Shapiro.
Video released by the Israeli government showed prayer books and shawls splattered with blood.
Twersky’s grandfather, Joseph Soloveitchik, was a renowned Boston rabbi, and his father, Rabbi Yitzhak (Isadore) Twersky, was longtime director of The Center for Jewish Studies at Harvard.Twersky’s grandfather, Joseph Soloveitchik, was a renowned Boston rabbi, and his father, Rabbi Yitzhak (Isadore) Twersky, was longtime director of The Center for Jewish Studies at Harvard.
Twersky’s brother, Mayer Twersky, is one of the overseers of Yeshiva University in New York, the flagship American school for Jewish Orthodox studies.Twersky’s brother, Mayer Twersky, is one of the overseers of Yeshiva University in New York, the flagship American school for Jewish Orthodox studies.
The early morning attack harkened back to the years of the Palestinian intifadas, or uprisings, and appeared certain to inflame a city already buffeted by tensions between Jews and Palestinians over a contested religious site. The early morning attack harkened back to the years of the Palestinian intifadas, or uprisings, and appeared certain to inflame a city already buffeted by tensions.
The next steps by Israel were not immediately clear. But any crackdowns in East Jerusalem — such as the home destructions — could touch off more street battles and showdowns centered on the Temple Mount, a site considered holy by both Jews and Muslims and the scene of recent clashes. Many Palestinians were deeply angered by Israel’s decision last month to temporary block access to the Al-Aqsa mosque in an area known as the Temple Mount to Jews and the Noble Sanctuary to Muslims, a holy site to both religions.
The synagogue, however, is far from the normal flash points in Jerusalem and reflected the possible widening scope of the violence. The Israeli measures — which are now lifted — came after a Palestinian gunman attempted to kill an Israeli-American activist who wants Jews to be allowed to pray at the site. Jews and Christians are normally allowed to visit the area as tourists. But they are banned from praying, singing and making religious displays.
Weeks of unrest has followed. Any fresh crackdowns in East Jerusalem — such as the home destructions — could touch off more street battles in the area.
Mourners in East Jerusalem, gathered around the family of the synagogue attackers, identified by Palestinian media reported as cousins Udai and Ghassan Abu Jamal. Israeli media said that one of the two men worked in a supermarket near the synagogue.
“We are against the killing of innocent people on both sides, but al-Aqsa mosque is a red line that should not be crossed,” said Ala Abu Jamal, a cousin of the attackers. “It will make anyone ready to sacrifice their lives, regardless of the price.”
Hamas, the militant Palestinian Islamist group that fought a war against Israel this past summer in the Gaza Strip, praised the attack but stopped short of claiming responsibility for the bloodshed — the worst at a religious site in Israel since eight people were killed in 2008 when Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a Jerusalem yeshiva, or Jewish religious school.Hamas, the militant Palestinian Islamist group that fought a war against Israel this past summer in the Gaza Strip, praised the attack but stopped short of claiming responsibility for the bloodshed — the worst at a religious site in Israel since eight people were killed in 2008 when Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a Jerusalem yeshiva, or Jewish religious school.
“What I saw was horrifying,” said Avi Nefoussi, a paramedic who was among the first to enter the synagogue minutes after the two attackers were shot dead by police. “I saw several bodies lying on the floor — some were people that I knew — and two people badly injured from gunshots.”
Video released by the Israeli government showed prayer books and shawls splattered with blood.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said six people were also wounded in the attack, including two police officers.Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said six people were also wounded in the attack, including two police officers.
Palestinian media reported that the two attackers were Udai and Ghassan Abu Jamal, cousins from the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Jabl Mukabr. Israeli media said that one of the two men worked in a supermarket near the synagogue. “What I saw was horrifying,” said Avi Nefoussi, a paramedic who was among the first to enter the synagogue minutes after the two attackers were shot dead by police. “I saw several bodies lying on the floor — some were people that I knew — and two people badly injured from gunshots.”
In London, Secretary of State John F. Kerry condemned the attacks and demanded that the Palestinian leadership take immediate steps to end incitement to violence among Palestinians.In London, Secretary of State John F. Kerry condemned the attacks and demanded that the Palestinian leadership take immediate steps to end incitement to violence among Palestinians.
“Innocent people who had come to worship died in the sanctuary of a synagogue,” Kerry said shortly after the attack, his voice quavering. “They were hatcheted, hacked and murdered in that holy place in an act of pure terror and senseless brutality and murder,” he said after speaking by phone with Netanyahu.“Innocent people who had come to worship died in the sanctuary of a synagogue,” Kerry said shortly after the attack, his voice quavering. “They were hatcheted, hacked and murdered in that holy place in an act of pure terror and senseless brutality and murder,” he said after speaking by phone with Netanyahu.
“I call on Palestinians at every single level of leadership to condemn this in the most powerful terms. This violence has no place anywhere, particularly after the discussion that we just had the other day in Amman.”
Netanyahu, Kerry and Jordan’s King Abdullah II met last week in Jordan’s capital in a bid to ease tensions.Netanyahu, Kerry and Jordan’s King Abdullah II met last week in Jordan’s capital in a bid to ease tensions.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond also denounced the synagogue slayings.Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond also denounced the synagogue slayings.
“What happened in the synagogue is a red line for the Israeli government, and maybe this could change all events,” said Shaul Bartal, a retired Israeli major who served in various military positions in the West Bank.“What happened in the synagogue is a red line for the Israeli government, and maybe this could change all events,” said Shaul Bartal, a retired Israeli major who served in various military positions in the West Bank.
He said that many Arab residents of East Jerusalem currently work in Jewish neighborhoods in the city. However, in light of this attack and others over the past few weeks, Israel might be forced to make changes in their status.He said that many Arab residents of East Jerusalem currently work in Jewish neighborhoods in the city. However, in light of this attack and others over the past few weeks, Israel might be forced to make changes in their status.
At a Vatican conference, Lord Sacks, Britain’s former chief rabbi, offered a prayer for the victims of the synagogue slayings.At a Vatican conference, Lord Sacks, Britain’s former chief rabbi, offered a prayer for the victims of the synagogue slayings.
“To attack and murder while someone is immersed in silent prayer – the horror! We pray for the victims and the wounded. We condemn the terrorists and any of those who support them. We are one with our brothers and sisters in the land of Israel,” Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld, an Orthodox rabbi in Washington who studied under another member of Twersky’s family, posted early Tuesday on his Facebook page.“To attack and murder while someone is immersed in silent prayer – the horror! We pray for the victims and the wounded. We condemn the terrorists and any of those who support them. We are one with our brothers and sisters in the land of Israel,” Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld, an Orthodox rabbi in Washington who studied under another member of Twersky’s family, posted early Tuesday on his Facebook page.
Religious sites have been caught before in the Arab-Israel conflict.Religious sites have been caught before in the Arab-Israel conflict.
In March 2002, at the height of the second intifada, a Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up at a Passover meal at a hotel in Netanya, Israel. Thirty civilians were killed.In March 2002, at the height of the second intifada, a Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up at a Passover meal at a hotel in Netanya, Israel. Thirty civilians were killed.
In February 1994, an American-born Israeli, Baruch Goldstein, opened fire on unarmed Palestinian Muslims praying inside the Ibrahimi Mosque at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron. Goldstein, who was a member of the far-right Israeli Kach movement, killed 29 worshipers and wounded more than 100. He was overpowered and beaten to death by survivors at the mosque.In February 1994, an American-born Israeli, Baruch Goldstein, opened fire on unarmed Palestinian Muslims praying inside the Ibrahimi Mosque at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron. Goldstein, who was a member of the far-right Israeli Kach movement, killed 29 worshipers and wounded more than 100. He was overpowered and beaten to death by survivors at the mosque.
Deane reported from London and Murphy reported from Washington. Michelle Boorstein, Debbi Wilgoren and Carol Morello in Washington contributed to this report. Deane reported from London and Murphy reported from Washington. Sufian Taha in Jerusalem, Michelle Boorstein, Debbi Wilgoren and Carol Morello in Washington contributed to this report.