‘An act of supreme cowardice and savagery’
Palestinian terrorist opens fire at Jerusalem synagogue on Shabbat eve, killing seven before being shot dead.
Seven people were shot and killed and at least three others were wounded in a terror shooting attack at a synagogue in Jerusalem’s Neve Yaakov neighborhood, police and medics said Friday night.
According to police, the terrorist arrived by car at 8:13 p.m. at a building used as a synagogue in the neighborhood in northern Jerusalem and opened fire at people outside the synagogue and other passersby.
He then fled the scene by car toward the Palestinian neighborhood of Beit Hanina — several hundred meters away — where he encountered officers who were called to the scene.
Police said the terrorist — a resident of East Jerusalem — was shot dead after he exited the car and opened fire on the officers while trying to escape on foot.
A handgun used in the attack was seized.
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) released a statement condemning the attack and describing it as “an act of supreme cowardice and savagery”.
“We are appalled by the ensuing scenes from across the West Bank and Gaza of fireworks and dispensing of sweets to celebrate the taking of innocent life,” the statement read.
“We are united with the people of Israel in their grief and anger. We pray for the souls of the murdered and for their families to be granted strength at this terrible time.”
According to Channel 12 news, the terrorist first shot an elderly woman in the street, then encountered a motorcycle rider and shot him, before reaching the synagogue and opening fire at people outside.
The network identified the synagogue as Ateret Avraham.
Speaking to reporters from the scene, police commissioner Kobi Shabtai said the attack was one of the worst Israel had seen in years.
“The terrorist shot at everyone he encountered. He got out of the car and began a murderous rampage with a handgun,” Shabtai said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking after visiting the scene, called the attack “one of the most severe we have known in years.”
“Our hearts are with the families. I commend the police officers who took action so quickly,” Netanyahu said.
“We must act with determination and composure. I call on people not to take the law into their own hands.”
He said the cabinet would convene on Saturday, adding, “We have decided on several immediate steps that will begin tonight.”
With seven killed, the shooting in Jerusalem was the deadliest terror attack since 2011, when terrorists crossed into Israel from Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, killing eight Israelis. It was the deadliest Palestinian terror attack since 2008, when a gunman from East Jerusalem killed eight Israeli students at the Mercaz Harav yeshiva in the capital.
The Magen David Adom ambulance service said its medics declared five victims dead at the scene, and another two victims were declared dead at hospitals in Jerusalem.
MDA said the dead were five men, aged 20, 25, 30, 50, and 60, and two women, aged 60 and 70.
The victims were not immediately named.
The wounded victims included a 15-year-old boy in moderate-to-serious condition, a 24-year-old man in moderate condition, and a 60-year-woman, also in moderate condition.
The victims had been taken to the Hadassah Mount Scopus and Shaare Zedek hospitals.
Jerusalem District Police Commander Doron Turgeman, speaking to reporters at the scene, said the terrorist had acted alone.
WITH TIMES OF ISRAEL
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