The vehicle and weapon of the terrorist responsible for the terror attack. (Photo from Twitter/Stand With Us) Seven people were killed and several others were injured in a terror attack at a Jerusalem synagogue on Friday night, January 27.
The Jerusalem Post and Times of Israel reported that the terrorist, identified as being Shuafat resident Aqlam Khayri, 21, was firing a gun at congregants leaving the Ateret Avraham synagogue located in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Neve Yaakov; the terrorist was subsequently shot and killed by police. The terrorist is believed to have acted alone.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan tweeted, “During the @UN’s [International] Holocaust Remembrance Day event, terrible news came in about the Palestinian terror attack in Jerusalem. My heart breaks for the victims’ families. The world must support Jews when we defend ourselves against terror. This is the true meaning of Never Again.”
During the @UN’s Int’l Holocaust Remembrance Day event, terrible news came in about the Palestinian terror attack in Jerusalem. My heart breaks for the victims’ families. The world must support Jews when we defend ourselves against terror. This is the true meaning of Never Again. pic.twitter.com/OlJytXg5qX
— Ambassador Gilad Erdan גלעד ארדן (@giladerdan1) January 27, 2023
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir arrived at the scene of attack and called for Israel’s gun laws to be loosened so it would be easier for civilians to defend themselves from a terror attack, per the Post. Some members of the crowd blamed him for the attack, shouting, “This was on your watch!” Other members of the crowd started chanting, “Death to terrorists!” and “Death to leftists!” Ben-Gvir chided the crowd members for chanting the latter, calling it “unacceptable.”
Jewish groups and influencers shared their outrage at the terror attack and condolences for the victims.
“We are closely monitoring reports of a shooting at a synagogue in #Jerusalem on Shabbat, with several fatalities and numerous injured,” the Anti-Defamation League tweeted. “Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.”
We are closely monitoring reports of a shooting at a synagogue in #Jerusalem on Shabbat, with several fatalities and numerous injured. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. https://t.co/aa1hobZ1vV
— ADL (@ADL) January 27, 2023
American Jewish Committee CEO Ted Deutch tweeted, “Last week, I celebrated a peaceful Shabbat in Jerusalem. Today, at least 8 people have been shot and killed after a terrorist opened fire near a synagogue in Jerusalem. We vehemently condemn this attack. At this difficult time and always, we stand with Israel.”
Our hearts are heavy.
At least 8 people have been murdered, and several others wounded, in an attack near a synagogue in Jerusalem.
We stand with Israel against terror and pray for a swift recovery for the wounded.
May the memories of the victims be a blessing.
— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) January 27, 2023
Simon Wiesenthal Center Associate Dean and Director of Global Social Action Agenda Rabbi Abraham Cooper said in a statement, “It’s time for nations and international entities that stood earlier today in silent solidarity with six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, to withhold support for the Palestinian Authority [PA] which officially financially rewards terrorists and their families for murdering Jews. Donor nations to the Palestinians have an obligation to help put an end to the PA’s pay-to-slay-Jews policy. We don’t need solemn ceremonies for dead Jews from those who support entities who continue to murder live ones.”
Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish American Organizations Chair Diane Lob and CEO William Daroff said in a statement, “This act of terrorism, particularly egregious on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, is a stark reminder that the threat of violence and hatred towards Jewish communities remains all too real. We reiterate our call for the Palestinian Authority to stop rewarding the killing of Jews through its notorious ‘pay to slay’ terrorist incentive system. We will not be deterred by terrorists and pledge to continue to support the efforts of the Israeli government and security forces to keep the citizens of Israel safe.”
B’nai Brith International tweeted, “We strongly condemn this horrific attack on Shabbat and stand with Israel against terrorism. Our hearts are with the victims’ families and those injured.”
At least 7 people have been murdered, and at least 10 others wounded, by a Palestinian terrorist near a Jerusalem synagogue.
We strongly condemn this horrific attack on Shabbat and stand with Israel against terrorism.
Our hearts are with the victims' families and those injured.
— B'nai B'rith Intl. (@BnaiBrith) January 27, 2023
Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles President and CEO Noah Farkas said in a statement, “We are closely monitoring yet another terrorist attack in Israel, where at least seven people have been murdered. This attack is especially painful for all of us as it comes on International Holocaust Remembrance Day when we are reminded of the evil in the world that targets our people. Our hearts are with the families of the victims and we are working with our partners on the ground in Israel to provide our full support. These attacks will not weaken us and only strengthen our love and support for the people of Israel. May the memories of the victims forever be a blessing.”
Agudath Israel of America said in a statement, “With pain and sorrow we note the devastating news of a deadly terror attack in the Neve Yakov neighborhood in Jerusalem, Israel. At least seven were killed, and many more injured. The evil of the attack was compounded by its location – a synagogue in which people had been praying. May the One Above have mercy on those injured, and comfort the families of those killed.”
J Street said in a statement, “The targeting of a synagogue on Shabbat is despicable and deeply painful for Israelis and Jewish people around the world – even more so as it comes on International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Acts of terror and violence against civilians are never acceptable, and only lead to more pain, suffering and loss.” They went onto express concern over “the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territory over the past few days.” “Urgent steps must be taken by all responsible leaders to prevent further attacks and violence, and reduce tensions,” J Street added. “As Secretary Blinken is scheduled to visit the region next week, we urge firm and proactive US leadership to help prevent any further escalation in violence.”
The European Leadership Network (ELNET) tweeted that the terror attack was “a heinous crime against humanity.” “ELNET thanks the many European allies who are swiftly and unequivocally condemning this horrific shooting that happened on International Holocaust Memorial Day,” they added.
The terrorist attack at a Jerusalem synagogue killing at least seven people is a heinous crime against humanity.
ELNET thanks the many European allies who are swiftly and unequivocally condemning this horrific shooting that happened on International Holocaust Memorial Day.
— ELNET (@elnetwork_eu) January 27, 2023
Israel-based writer Hen Mazzig tweeted, “When terrorists attack Israel, their goal is to murder as many Jews as possible. Shooting up a Jerusalem synagogue is no different than gunning down a Pittsburgh one. Let’s call these attacks what they are: antisemitic hate crimes.”
When terrorists attack Israel, their goal is to murder as many Jews as possible.
Shooting up a Jerusalem synagogue is no different than gunning down a Pittsburgh one.
Let’s call these attacks what they are: antisemitic hate crimes.
— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) January 27, 2023
StandWithUs shared photos of the car and firearm the terrorist used.
This is the vehicle and weapon of the terrorist responsible for tonight's terror attack in #Jerusalem. Terrorist was shot by security forces while attempting to escape. pic.twitter.com/CdZi6wk6dT
— StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) January 27, 2023
StandWithUs also noted that “Palestinian extremists in #Gaza are celebrating the murder of at least 8 innocent #Israelis during a terror attack on a synagogue in #Jerusalem. This is what indoctrination looks like.”
The terror attack comes a day after an Israel Defense Force (IDF) raid in a Jenin refugee that resulted in nine Palestinian militants killed. The IDF said at the time that they were working to thwart an impending terror plot from Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and that the PIJ terrorists opened fire on the IDF when they arrived.
A spokesperson for Hamas referred to the shooting as an “operation” that was in “response to the crime conducted by the occupation in Jenin and a natural response to the occupation’s criminal actions,” according to the Post.
This is a developing story.
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