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2014 Jerusalem synagogue attack

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2014 Jerusalem synagogue massacre
LocationHar Nof, Jerusalem, Israel
Date18 November 2014 (2014-11-18)
Deaths7 (4 civilians, 1 police officer, 2 attackers)
Injured7 civilians
PerpetratorsUday Abu Jamal and Ghassan Abu Jamal

On the morning of 18 November 2014, two Arab men from East Jerusalem entered Kehilat Bnei Torah synagogue, in the Har Nof neighborhood of Jerusalem, Israel, and attacked the praying congregants with axes, knives, and a gun. They killed four dual-national worshippers, and critically wounded a responding Druze Israeli police officer who later died of his wounds. They also injured seven male worshipers.[1] The two attackers were then killed by police.

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) claimed responsibility for the attack.[2][3] The police chief, however, initially said that, though his investigation was not complete, it appeared to be a lone wolf attack.[4]

It was the deadliest terror attack in Jerusalem since the Mercaz HaRav massacre in March 2008.[5][6][7] This attack is the latest in a string of attacks being called an intifada in the news, despite no official intifada being organized by a group, as they were in previous ones.[8]

Attack

At approximately 7:00 am, during the weekday Shacharit morning prayer, as the worshipers were saying the silent amidah standing prayer, two Arab men from East Jerusalem entered Kehilat Bnei Torah synagogue, in the Har Nof neighborhood of Jerusalem, Israel, and attacked the worshippers with axes, meat cleavers, and a gun.[3][9][10][11] They killed four dual-national worshippers and a responding Druze Israeli police officer, and injured seven male worshipers.[1] It was the deadliest terror attack in Jerusalem since the Mercaz HaRav massacre in March 2008.[5][6][7]

Two traffic policemen who heard gunfire came running to the synagogue, and engaged the men in a gun battle.[3] A third policeman arrived shortly after, and shot both attackers dead. Two policemen were wounded, one of whom subsequently died from his injuries.[11]

The first responder who later died was an Israeli Druze police officer, Zidan Saif. He was critically wounded when he was shot in the head during the ensuing gun battle, and later died.[12]

The perpetrators screamed "Allahu Akbar" as they axed and shot at the worshipers.[3][13][14][15][16]

Victims

Killed were American-Israelis Rabbi Moshe Twersky (59; dean of the Toras Moshe kollel, son of Harvard professor Rabbi Isadore Twersky, and part of a Boston rabbinical dynasty); Rabbi Calman Levine (55); and Rabbi Aryeh Kopinsky (43); and British-Israeli Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Goldberg (68).[1][3][17][18] All resided in Har Nof.

Seven other male worshipers were wounded by the attackers, two seriously.[17]

Zidan Saif (30), the Druze police officer shot in the head during the attack, later died from his wounds.[17][19] Saif lived in a Northern Israeli Druze village of Yanuh-Gat, and was father of a 4-month-old daughter.[3][20]

Perpetrators and motives

The perpetrators, cousins Abed Abu Jamal (22) and Ghassan Muhammad Abu Jamal (32), came from the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Jabel Mukaber, and worked at a grocery store near the synagogue.[10][17][21] The two attackers were relatives of PFLP affiliate Jamal Abu Jamal, who had been held in Israeli prison for militant activity, and released by Israel as part of the 2013–14 Israeli–Palestinian peace talks.[3][22]

The PFLP claimed responsibility for the attack.[2][3] The police chief had initially said that though his investigation was not complete, he believed it appeared to be a lone wolf attack.[4] The two men were reportedly affiliated with the PFLP,[23] but their family said that they were unaware if that was the case.[24]

Two relatives of the attackers said the attack was motivated by what the attackers saw as "threats of a Jewish takeover of Al Aqsa", and the death of a Palestinian bus driver, Youssef al-Ramouni, in Jerusalem's Har Hotzvim bus depot.[3] Israeli authorities said an autopsy found only evidence of suicide, and that a Palestinian pathologist who attended the autopsy, Dr. Saber al-Aloul, initially agreed with the finding.[25][26][27] However, the doctor later said the results pointed towards an "organized killing";[28][29] many Palestinians believe the bus driver was murdered by Israeli settlers.[30]

Speculation circulated in the Israeli media that the attack on the synagogue worshipers might have been motivated by a desire of the assailants to avenge the kidnapping and murder of Mohammed Abu Khdeir, since the father of the prime suspect in that case is a rabbi who heads the kollel in Har Nof.[31]

Response

In an unprecedented move it said was intended to deter would-be future attacks, Israel refrained from releasing the bodies of the dead attackers to their families.[32] Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu ordered the demolition of the attackerss' homes.[33] Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon stated that in light of the recent string of attacks Israel would freeze a series of planned steps to ease life for Palestinians living in the West Bank, including new roadways.[34]

In response to the incident, many protests were conducted around the world. Rabbi Avi Weiss conducted a protest at the Palestinian Embassy in New York City.[35] Ten Jewish men were arrested at a protest in Jerusalem,[36] and 23 others were arrested attempting to block the Jerusalem Light Rail.[37]

Thousands attended Zidan Saif's funeral, including President Reuven Rivlin, Minister of Internal Security Yitzhak Aharonovich, and Chief of Police Yohanan Danino.[38]

The synagogue which was the site of the attack reopened the following day, once again with shacharit services.[39] The congregation continues to employ Arab workers.[40]

The FBI will join Israeli authorities in an investigation of the attacks, with an eye to whether any organizations or individuals assisted the attackers, and can be prosecuted.[3]

Demonstrations were staged in Gaza with Palestinians bearing portraits of the two attackers as well as hatchets of the type used in the attack.[citation needed]

Reactions

  •  United Kingdom — Prime Minister David Cameron condemned the Palestinian attack, writing "I'm appalled by today's horrific attack on worshippers at a Jerusalem synagogue. My thoughts are with the victims' families."[46] The chairman of the Conservative Party Grant Shapps also condemned the attack, saying his prayers were with the families of the victims. He criticized former Cabinet Minister Baroness Warsi who apparently compared the attack to protests by "Israeli extremists" at Al-Aqsa mosque. Warsi stated that both Israelis and Palestinians have been killed by extremists and she wanted "justice for all".[47]
  •  Canada – Prime Minister Stephen Harper condemned the "barbaric act of terror." Harper said Canada's "thoughts and prayers are with the people of Israel."[48]
  •  France – President François Hollande issued a statement condemning "the heinous attack … in a synagogue in Jerusalem and those who dared to welcome the act". Hollande "expressed his deep concern over the chain of violence in Jerusalem and the West Bank."[50]
  •  United Nations – Robert Serry, the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, said: "there can be no justification whatsoever for these deliberate killings."[53]
  •  Vatican - Pope Francis condemned the "unacceptable episodes of violence" in Jerusalem, that "do not spare even places of worship." He offered prayers for the victims of the attack.[56]
  •  Jordan — The Jordanian parliament recited a prayer to commemorate the assailants behind the massacre.[57] At the same time, Jordan's government spokesman condemned the attack, saying: "Jordan condemns an attack on any citizen and condemns all acts of violence and terrorism that hurt civilians, whatever their origin."[57]
  •  Palestinian Authority — Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian President, stated that "the presidency condemns the attack on Jewish worshipers in their place of prayer and condemns the killing of civilians no matter who is doing it."[58]
    • Hamas – Hamas stated the attack was a response to a Palestinian bus driver who was found hanged;[59] Israeli police said it was suicide, but the bus driver's family believe he was murdered.[60] Hamas praised the attack as "an appropriate and functional response to the crimes of the Israeli occupation."[61][62]
    • In the Gaza Strip, people distributed sweets to celebrate, and brandished axes and posters of the killers.[30][63] Palestinian television displayed photographs of celebratory scenes in Bethlehem, in the West Bank,[30] and Palestinian radio called the killers "martyrs".[64]
    • File:Flag of the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine.svg Islamic Jihad – In Gaza, the Islamic Jihad praised the attack.[61]

Media coverage

The event was covered by all major news outlets. The Star Tribune ran a Steve Sack editorial cartoon showing the dove of peace weeping as its olive branch was spattered with blood from the "synagogue massacre."[65]

There were some allegations of media bias following the event.[66][67] Originally, CNN ran a story by Ben Wedeman with a headline reading "Deadly Attack on Jerusalem Mosque."[68] As the news broke, CNN described the death toll as four Jews and two Palestinians.[69][70] CNN later issued a statement: "We erred and regret the mistake."[71][72][73]

A headline in the French daily Le Monde read "Six killed in Jerusalem." Following a protest from the Israeli embassy in Paris, Le Monde changed the headline to specify that four Israelis and "two Palestinian attackers" had been killed.[72]

CBC News headlined their report on the attack with: "Jerusalem police fatally shoot 2 after apparent synagogue attack."[66][70]

The Guardian removed all reference to Palestinians from the Reuters dispatch it ran.[70]

British political theorist Alan Johnson slammed the news coverage, describing coverage such as the Amira Hass report in Haaretz describing alleged "despair and anger that pushed the Abu Jamals to attack Jews in a synagogue (emphasis added)," as "racist" because it robs Arabs of moral agency, attributing moral agency exclusively to Jews. He described the media outlets that took these positions, CNN, the CBC, Haaretz, and The Guardian, as being "a bit racist" in taking an "Orientalist view of the Palestinians as the Other," and regarding them as, "noble savages."[70]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Soffer, Ari (18 November 2014). "Synagogue Massacre Victim Identified as Rabbi Moshe Twersky". Arutz Sheva. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Jerusalem synagogue attack: Popular Front for Liberation of Palestine claims responsibility". The Independent.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j [1]
  4. ^ a b Police chief: Lone wolves apparently carried out deadly attack at Jerusalem synagogue – Retrieved 18 November 2014
  5. ^ a b DEATH TOLL AT 5 IN JERUSALEM SYNAGOGUE ATTACK, 7online.com; retrieved 18 November 2014.
  6. ^ a b "Four worshipers, one policeman killed in Jerusalem synagogue". CNN. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  7. ^ a b "At Least Four Killed in Terror Attack on Jerusalem Synagogue". Time. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  8. ^ Jerusalem attacks likely do not portend a third Palestinian intifada – Retrieved 20 November 2014
  9. ^ Yaakov Lappin; Daniel K. Eisenbud (18 November 2014). "Report: East Jerusalem cousins suspected Palestinian terrorists in synagogue attack". The Jerusalem Post. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ a b Israel Hayom Staff; Associated Press (18 November 2014). "4 Israelis killed in terror attack at Jerusalem synagogue". Israel Hayom.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ a b "הטבח בבית הכנסת: 24 יתומים ברחוב אחד - ישראל היום". ישראל היום.
  12. ^ Muqata, Jameel (18 November 2014). "Israeli-Druze Policeman – First on Scene in Har Nof Massacre, Fighting for His Life". The Jewish Press. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  13. ^ Thornhill, Ted (18 November 2014). "British rabbi and three Americans slaughtered in Jerusalem synagogue attack: Worshippers killed at dawn by fanatics screaming 'God is great' armed with knives, axes and guns". Daily Mail. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  14. ^ Li, David (18 November 2014). "Cops storm home of terrorists who slaughtered 4 rabbis". New York Post. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  15. ^ Berman, Lazer (18 November 2014). "Four killed in terror attack at Jerusalem synagogue". Times of Israel. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  16. ^ Booth, William (19 November 2014). "Four killed in terror attack at Jerusalem synagogue Read more: Four killed in terror attack at Jerusalem synagogue". Washington Post. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  17. ^ a b c d Eisenbud, Daniel K.; Siegel-Itzkovich, Judy; Keinon, Herb (18 November 2014). "Police officer wounded in Jerusalem terror attack dies, bringing death toll to 5". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  18. ^ "Palestinian Incitement, Attacks, Glorification". Algemeiner.
  19. ^ "BREAKING: Officer Dies, Becomes 5th Victim of Today’s Jerusalem Attack", jspacenews.com; retrieved 18 November 2014.
  20. ^ Rosenberg, Yair (19 November 2014). "Remembering the Druze Officer Who Died Defending the Jerusalem Synagogue". Tablet. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  21. ^ “The Images I Saw Inside the Synagogue Reminded Me of Images from the Holocaust”; retrieved 18 November 2014.
  22. ^ Report: Har Nof Terrorist Worked Next to Synagogue, israelnationalnews.com; retrieved 18 November 2014.
  23. ^ "4 Israelis killed in terror attack at Jerusalem synagogue". Israel Hayom. 18 November 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  24. ^ Jerusalem synagogue axe attack kills four, telegraph.co.uk; retrieved 18 November 2014.
  25. ^ "Israeli Police: Arab doctor who attended bus driver's autopsy contradicting former consensus". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  26. ^ "Palestinian coroner 'agreed Arab bus driver hanged himself'". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  27. ^ "Israel Shaken by 5 Deaths in Synagogue Assault". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  28. ^ "Palestinian family rejects suicide verdict on driver found hanged on bus". The Independent. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  29. ^ Harriet Salem 'Lynching or Suicide? Conflicting Accounts of Palestinian Bus Driver’s Death Underscore Growing Tensions in Jerusalem', news.vice.com, 17 November 2014.
  30. ^ a b c "Israel on Edge After Attackers Kill Five in Synagogue". New York Times. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  31. ^ Sigal Samuel and Yael Even Or,Was Synagogue Terrorist Attack Revenge for Abu Khdeir Killing?, The Forward, 18 November 2014; accessed 19 November 2014.
  32. ^ Hasson, Nir (19 November 2014). "Israel withholding bodies of Jerusalem assailants in unprecedented move;Hoped-for deterrent effect is cited in response to petition by family of the perpetrators of Tuesday's attack in a Har Nof synagogue that killed five Israelis". Haaretz. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  33. ^ "Netanyahu orders demolition of terrorists' homes after synagogue attack", jpost.com; retrieved 18 November 2014.
  34. ^ Ya'alon to freeze steps easing conditions for Palestinians amid security tensions – Retrieved 19 November 2014
  35. ^ Spanish lawmakers pass symbolic motion on eventual recognition of Palestine, dailystar.com.lb; retrieved 18 November 2014.
  36. ^ "Ten right-wing activists arrested at J'lem rally", ynetnews.com; retrieved 18 November 2014.
  37. ^ "Right-wing demonstrations in Jerusalem: 23 suspects arrested so far during riots", jpost.com; retrieved 18 November 2014.
  38. ^ Funeral of Zidan Saif, israelhayom.co.il; accessed 19 November 2014.
  39. ^ Worshipers return to Har Nof synagogue as Jerusalem tries to recover from attack – Retrieved 19 November 2014
  40. ^ "Jerusalem mayor: Revoke citizenship of terrorists' families". Haaretz. 21 November 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  41. ^ Obama 'strongly condemns' Jerusalem terror attack, noting US citizenship of 3 victims – Retrieved 18 November 2014
  42. ^ "Four [sic] killed in Jerusalem synagogue terror attack", haaretz.com; retrieved 18 November 2014.
  43. ^ "4 People, Including Americans, Killed In Jerusalem Synagogue Attack", cbslocal.com, 18 November 2014; accessed 19 November 2014.
  44. ^ "FBI launches investigation into deaths of US citizens", theguardian.com; retrieved 18 November 2014.
  45. ^ US lawmakers warn Abbas: Curb incitement or risk American aid to PA – Retrieve 20 November 2014
  46. ^ Jack Moore (18 November 2014). Jerusalem Synagogue Attack: David Cameron Condemns 'Horrific' Palestinian Killings in Holy City. International Business Times.
  47. ^ Watt, Holly (18 November 2014). "Baroness Warsi slapped down over Jerusalem massacre comments". The Telegraph. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  48. ^ The Canadian Press (18 November 2014). Canada condemns deadly attack on Jerusalem synagogue.
  49. ^ "EU: Har Nof Massacre 'Condemnable by All Means'". Arutz Sheva. 19 November 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  50. ^ Embassy of France in Washington (18 November 2014). Terror Attack in Jerusalem.
  51. ^ Times Of Israel (18 November 2014). Kerry condemns Jerusalem attack, Palestinian incitement.
  52. ^ "TURKEY AGAINST ATTACKS ON HOLY PLACES, FM ÇAVUŞOĞLU SAYS". Daily Sabah. 18 November 2014.
  53. ^ United Nations News Center (18 November 2014). UN special envoy, human rights office condemn attack on Jerusalem synagogue.
  54. ^ Netanyahu: Israel will 'respond decisively' to murder of Jews in synagogue terror attack – Retrieved 18 November 2014
  55. ^ Islamic Country Strongly Condemns The Terrorist Attack In Jerusalem – Retrieved 18 November 2014
  56. ^ CNS: Pope condemns attack on Jerusalem synagogue
  57. ^ a b [2]
  58. ^ Abbas condemns deadly attack on Jewish worshipers in Jerusalem synagogue – Retrieved 18 November 2014
  59. ^ "Hamas: Jerusalem synagogue attack in response to death of Palestinian bus driver found hanged". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  60. ^ Hamas: Jerusalem synagogue attack in response to death of Palestinian bus driver found hanged – Retrieved 18 November 2014
  61. ^ a b BBC (18 November 2014). Jerusalem synagogue: Palestinians kill Israeli worshippers.
  62. ^ Hasson, Nir (18 November 2014). "Four killed in Jerusalem synagogue terror attack". Haaaretz. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  63. ^ "Revelers in Rafah hand out sweets, brandish axes and posters in praise of terrorists". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  64. ^ Reuters http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/18/us-mideast-palestinians-israel-idUSKCN0J20E220141118. {{cite news}}: |url= missing title (help)
  65. ^ Sack, Steve (19 November 2014). "Sack cartoon: synagogue massacre". Star Tribune. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  66. ^ a b "'Guardian' deletes reference to Palestinians, CNN labels synagogue 'mosque'". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  67. ^ "Watchdogs cry 'bias' in coverage of synagogue attack". New Jersey Jewish News. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  68. ^ CNN calls incident ‘mosque attack’ – Retrieved 18 November 2014
  69. ^ Julian, Hana Levi. CNN Coverage of Har Nof Massacre Sparks Call to Pull Press Privilege." The Jewish Press. November 19, 2014.
  70. ^ a b c d Johnson, Alan (20 November 2014). "Blaming Israel for Palestinian violence is racist: it denies that Arabs are moral agents". The Telegraph. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  71. ^ Ho, Spencer (20 November 2014). "Foreign press group rejects claims it supports terror Read more: Foreign press group rejects claims it supports terror". Times of Israel. Retrieved 21 November 2014. {{cite news}}: Text "The Times of Israel http://www.timesofisrael.com/foreign-press-group-rejects-claims-it-supports-terror/#ixzz3JidfT4jz Follow us: @timesofisrael on Twitter" ignored (help); Text "timesofisrael on Facebook" ignored (help)
  72. ^ a b "CNN apologizes for mistake in Jerusalem terror attack coverage". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  73. ^ "CNN Apologizes for Onscreen Text Used During Jerusalem Synagogue Attack Coverage". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
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