United States Government has described the terrorist attack that occurred on Friday, outside of a synagogue in East Jerusalem, Israel as “horrific”, while condemning it in a strongest terms.
Secretary of State, Antony Blinken made the condemnation in a statement released on Friday, saying United States mourns those killed in the attack, and its thoughts are with the injured, including children.
According to him, “The notion of people being targeted as they leave a house of worship is abhorrent. It is particularly tragic that this attack occurred on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
“On behalf of the United States, I express our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wish those injured a full recovery. We are in close contact with our Israeli partners and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to Israel’s security”.
Principal Deputy Spokesperson, Vedant Patel commenting on this incident at a Press Briefing on Thursday said, “This is absolutely horrific. Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences go out to those killed and injured in this heinous act of violence.
“We condemn this apparent terrorist attack in the strongest terms. Our commitment to Israel’s security remains ironclad, and we’re in direct touch with our Israeli partners. And our thoughts are with Israeli people in light of this horrific attack”, Partel added.
Meanwhile, at least seven people were shot and killed and five others were wounded in terrorist shooting attacks in Jerusalem’s neighborhood and near the City of David.
Both shootings in east Jerusalem took place just over 12 hours apart, with one terrorist killed and another one wounded according to report.
Report goes further that 21-year-old terrorist arrived at Neve Yaakov street shortly after 8 p.m. and opened fire at people leaving the Ateret Avraham synagogue after Friday night prayers.
One of the attendants of the synagogue who witnessed the attack said that the police didn’t arrive at the scene for 20 minutes after the initial shots were fired, as they didn’t believe the callers and thought the noise came from shots being fired in the air in nearby east Jerusalem neighborhoods.
Also, Police spokesperson, however, said that the terrorist was caught within five minutes of receiving the first call. “We started in pursuit of the terrorist, returned fire in his direction and the vehicle stopped.
He got out and started shooting in our direction,” the policeman who neutralized the terrorist said. Police stated further that as part of their investigation into the incident, another 42 suspects were arrested.