UNITED NATIONS, November 18 (Sputnik) — United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned Tuesday’s synagogue attack in Jerusalem and urged all sides to avoid provocations.
“The Secretary-General strongly condemns today’s attack on a synagogue in West Jerusalem which claimed four lives and injured several persons. He extends his condolences to the families of the victims and wishes the injured a speedy recovery,” said a statement published on the UN’s official website.
“All sides must avoid using provocative rhetoric which only encourages extremist elements. In this regard, the Secretary-General welcomes [Palestinian] President [Mahmoud] Abbas’ condemnation of today’s attack,” the statement read.
Ban Ki-moon condemned all violence against civilians and called on the leaders of both sides to “take actions to address the very tense situation in Jerusalem”.
The conflict in the region has gained “an additional dangerous dimension” following attacks against religious sites in Jerusalem and the West Bank, the statement said, and “clashes between Palestinian youths and Israeli security forces continue on a near daily basis".
However, the “steadily worsening situation” reinforces “the imperative for leaders on both sides to make the difficult decisions that will promote stability and ensure long-term security for both Israelis and Palestinians,” according to the UN.
On Tuesday morning, four people were killed and eight sustained injuries in a terrorist attack, committed by two suspected Palestinian men with knives and axes at a synagogue in Jerusalem's Har Nof neighborhood. Both terrorists were shot dead by police.
The incident is the latest in a series of attacks in Jerusalem in recent weeks, amid Israel's decision to boost construction of housing units in East Jerusalem, as well as speculation on Israeli plans to change the status quo of the Temple Mount.
