Deadly Synagogue Attack Sparks Escalation in Israel and Palestine
Tensions are escalating in Israel and the Palestinian territories following a deadly shooting at a synagogue in Jerusalem on Friday night.[0] At least seven people were killed and three more injured in the attack, which police say was carried out by a Palestinian man from East Jerusalem.[1]
The incident occurred on International Holocaust Memorial Day, and prompted an emergency meeting of the security cabinet.[2] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed a “strong, rapid, precise” response, including arming Israeli civilians and harsher measures against Palestinians complicit with perpetrators.[3]
The violence came just a day after Israeli forces conducted a deadly raid in the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank, killing nine Palestinians, including an elderly woman. In response, militants in the Gaza Strip fired rockets towards Israel, provoking retaliatory airstrikes.[0]
Condemnation of the attack came from around the world.[4] U.S. Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides called it a “horrific act of violence,” while Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned of the situation between Israelis and Palestinians sliding into further serious escalation.[0]
Two Israelis, a father and son, were shot and wounded in east Jerusalem on Saturday, hours after the attack.[1] A 13-year-old Palestinian boy was shot and injured at the scene by two passers-by carrying licensed weapons.[5] The home of the attacker was immediately sealed in preparation for demolition.[6]
The Palestinian Authority, which has limited control over parts of the West Bank, said it would suspend security cooperation with Israel in response to the Jenin raid.[7] Russia urged all parties to show “maximum restraint” and prevent further escalation of tension.[0]
The attack is the deadliest on Israelis in years and has prompted a strong response from the government.[8] As the region continues to grapple with the ramifications of this incident, it is crucial that all sides exercise maximum restraint and work towards de-escalation.[4]
0. “World leaders urge restraint as violence escalates in Jerusalem” DAWN.com, 29 Jan. 2023, https://www.dawn.com/news/1734120
1. “Zelensky on terrorist attacks in Jerusalem: Terror must have no place in today's world” Ukrinform, 28 Jan. 2023, https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3661162-zelensky-on-terrorist-attacks-in-jerusalem-terror-must-have-no-place-in-todays-world.html
2. “At least 7 Israelis killed in shooting attack at Jerusalem synagogue” Axios, 27 Jan. 2023, https://www.axios.com/2023/01/27/jerusalem-synagogue-attack-israel-palestinian-tensions
3. “Netanyahu Vows ‘strong, Rapid, Precise' Response To Jerusalem Terror Attacks – I24NEWS” i24NEWS, 29 Jan. 2023, https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/defense/1674931865-netanyahu-vows-strong-rapid-precise-response-to-jerusalem-terror-attacks
4. “Two wounded in shooting in Jerusalem, police say, after synagogue attack leaves seven dead” CNN, 28 Jan. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/28/middleeast/jerusalem-shooting-intl/index.html
5. “Jerusalem shooting: Alleged 13-year-old Palestinian gunman apprehended by armed Israeli citizen” Fox News, 28 Jan. 2023, https://www.foxnews.com/world/jerusalem-shooting-alleged-13-year-old-palestinian-gunman-apprehended-armed-israeli-citizen
6. “Security cabinet: Terrorists' family to lose residency, citizenship” The Jerusalem Post, 28 Jan. 2023, https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-729900
7. “At least 16 dead in two days in Israel and occupied Palestinian territories – video” The Guardian, 28 Jan. 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2023/jan/28/at-least-16-dead-in-two-days-in-israel-and-occupied-palestinian-territories-video
8. “News Wrap: 7 killed in shooting near Jerusalem synagogue” PBS NewsHour, 27 Jan. 2023, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/news-wrap-palestinian-gunman-kills-7-near-jerusalem-synagogue
