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2023 Neve Yaakov shooting

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2023 East Jerusalem synagogue shooting
Part of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict
LocationNeve Yaakov, East Jerusalem
Date27 January 2023 (2023-01-27)
8:13 p.m. (UTC+2:00)
TargetAteret Avraham synagogue
Attack type
Mass shooting
Deaths8 (including the perpetrator)
Injured3
AssailantKhairi Alqam

On 27 January 2023, a Palestinian[1] gunman killed at least eight Israeli civilians outside a synagogue in Neve Yaakov,[2][3][4] an Israeli settlement in East Jerusalem.[5][6][7][8] According to the police, the suspect was shot and killed after he opened fire on them.[9] Hamas praised the attack and said it was in retaliation for a raid in Jenin the day prior, in which 8 Palestinian militants and one civilian were killed.[10]

The shooting took place on International Holocaust Remembrance Day. It is the deadliest Palestinian attack since the Jerusalem yeshiva attack in 2008.[11]

Palestinian and Israeli sources stated that between 42 and 50 people have been arrested since the attack, mostly members of the family of the perpetrator.[12][13]

Attack

According to police, at around 8:13 p.m, the gunman arrived at the synagogue located in Jerusalem's Neve Yaakov settlement by car and waited until Shabbat prayers ended.[14] He reportedly first shot an elderly woman and a motorcyclist before opening fire at people outside the Ateret Avraham synagogue. The gunman then fled the scene towards the Palestinian neighborhood of Beit Hanina, where he was confronted by police officers and shot dead after opening fire on them while attempting to flee on foot.[11]

Seven people were killed in the attack, five men and two women. The victims ranged from ages 20 to 70. At least 3 other people were wounded.[11][4] One of the women killed was confirmed by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to have been a Ukrainian citizen.[15]

According to some local residents, it took 20 minutes for the police to arrive at the scene of the attack. Some individuals expressed their disappointment with the response time. However, the police denied the claim and asserted that officers arrived at the scene and killed the gunman within five minutes of receiving the first reports of gunfire.[11]

Perpetrator

The attacker was identified as Khairi Alqam, a 21-year-old resident of East Jerusalem with no prior terror-related offenses.[11][16]

According to Middle East Eye, Alqam's grandfather was killed alongside three other Palestinians in 1998 by an Israeli settler and member of the Kach.[17]

Reactions

Palestinians

The father of the boy who carried out the attack expressed joy for his son's actions and said that he was as happy as he was at his son's wedding.[18]

Dozens of Palestinians congregated in impromptu gatherings across the Gaza Strip to celebrate the attack. Similar celebrations, including fireworks, gunfire and car honking, were reported in the West Bank cities of Ramallah, Nablus, Jenin, and the East Jerusalem locality of Beit Hanina.[19][20][2]

Palestinian Islamic Jihad spokesman Tariq Ezz El-Din praised what he referred to as a "suicide operation" and as a response to the "Jenin massacre" the day prior. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem also said that the attack was revenge for the Jenin raid. He referred to the attack as "jihadist and resistance action in the city of Jerusalem" and stated that the battle against the occupation "continues and continues".[21]

President of the Palestinian National Authority Mahmoud Abbas published a statement saying that "the government of Israel is fully responsible for this dangerous escalation."[22]

International Community

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: "Our thoughts are with the Israeli people following the terrorist attack in Jerusalem. It is particularly tragic on International Holocaust Remembrance Day. We condemn this attack and express our condolences to the victims’ families. May their memory be a blessing".[23]

UN Secretery General António Guterres stated that "It is particularly abhorrent that the attack occurred at a place of worship, and on the very day we commemorated International Holocaust Remembrance Day. There is never any excuse for acts of terrorism. They must be clearly condemned and rejected by all".[23]

UK ambassador in Israel Neil Wigan wrote: “I am appalled by reports of the terrible attack in Neve Yaakov tonight. Attacking worshippers at a synagogue on Erev Shabat is a particularly horrific act of terrorism. The UK stands with Israel".[2]

EU ambassador to Israel, Dimiter Tzantchev, condemned the shootings. He described them as “senseless violence,” and added, “Terror is never the answer.”[2]

The French government issued a statement that "France condemns in the strongest terms the appalling terrorist attack that targeted a synagogue in Jerusalem, killing at least seven people and injuring many more [...] This attack against civilians, at the time of prayer, and on the day of the international commemoration of the victims of the Holocaust is particularly despicable. France stands alongside the victims of this attack, as well as their families. In a context of growing tensions, we call on all parties to avoid actions that could fuel the spiral of violence".[23]

UAE Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement condemning the shooting attack and expressing "its strong condemnation of the criminal act and its permanent rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability in contravention of human values and principles."[23]

Turkish officials stated: “We strongly condemn the terror attack at a synagogue in Jerusalem where many people lost their lives. We offer our condolences to the families of the victims, the Israeli government and people. We wish a speedy recovery to the wounded".[23]

See also

References

  1. ^ Rubin, Shira. "At least 5 killed in Jerusalem synagogue shooting". The Washington Post. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d John, Richard Allen Greene,Hadas Gold,Amir Tal,Tara (2023-01-27). "At least seven dead in Jerusalem synagogue attack, Israeli police say". CNN. Retrieved 2023-01-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ Zaig, Gadi. "Seven killed, 10 injured in synagogue in Jerusalem terror attack". jpost.com. Jerusalem Post. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Kermani, Secunder (2023-01-27). "Eight people killed in shooting at a Jerusalem synagogue". Channel 4 News. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  5. ^ "Palestinian gunman kills 7 near Jerusalem synagogue". AP NEWS. 2023-01-27. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  6. ^ Breiner, Josh (2023-01-27). "Seven Dead, Three Wounded in East Jerusalem Synagogue Shooting Attack". Haaretz.com. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  7. ^ "Gunman kills at least 5 people in East Jerusalem attack". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  8. ^ Kingsley, Patrick; Rosen, Jonathan (2023-01-27). "At Least 7 Killed in Attack in Jewish Area of East Jerusalem". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  9. ^ Estrin, Daniel. "At least 7 people killed in a Jerusalem synagogue shooting". NPR. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  10. ^ "Seven killed in synagogue attack as West Bank violence spirals". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  11. ^ a b c d e Fabian, Emanuel. "7 killed, several hurt in shooting attack at Jerusalem synagogue; terrorist shot". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  12. ^ "Since the attack in Jerusalem last night, Israeli occupation forces have detained some 50 Palestinians - Commission". WAFA Agency. 2023-01-28. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  13. ^ Rubin, Shira (2023-01-28). "Second Jerusalem shooting of Israelis puts region on high alert". Washington Post. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  14. ^ "Seven Israelis killed leaving synagogue in East Jerusalem". the Guardian. 2023-01-27. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  15. ^ "Zelenskiy says Ukrainian woman killed in Jerusalem attacks". Reuters. 2023-01-28. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  16. ^ Ravid, Barak. "At least 7 Israelis killed in shooting attack at Jerusalem synagogue". axios.com. Axios. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  17. ^ "Palestinian shooter was named after grandfather killed by Israeli settler". Middle East Eye. 28 January 2023.
  18. ^ The terrorist's father's reaction on Israel's Channel 14
  19. ^ "Israeli medics say gunman kills 6 near Jerusalem synagogue". AP NEWS. 2023-01-27. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  20. ^ i24NEWS. "Palestinian towns celebrate murder of 7 Israelis in Jerusalem synagogue attack". I24news. Retrieved 2023-01-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ i24NEWS. "Israel: 7 murdered in east Jerusalem terror attack, assailant 'neutralized'". I24news. Retrieved 2023-01-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ "Israel at Fault for Escalation in Security Situation, Palestinian President Abbas Says". Haaretz. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  23. ^ a b c d e i24NEWS. "World leaders condemn 'heinous' Jerusalem synagogue massacre". I24news. Retrieved 2023-01-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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