MOSCOW, November 19 (Sputnik) — Two cousins who killed five people and wounded six others in a Jerusalem synagogue on Tuesday, were affected by the Israeli government's pressure on Palestinians and acted of their own accord, their uncle told Haaretz newspaper Wednesday.
"We were in shock at first… We wouldn't have imagined or expected that these two quiet guys would do such a thing. But there is no doubt that they, like many young people in Jerusalem, were affected by the huge pressure that is being exerted on the Palestinians and the incitement against them", Abu Salah said, Haaretz reported.
"Statements about the attack issued by the Palestinian factions Hamas and the Popular Front [for the Liberation of Palestine] do not constitute a claim of responsibility. It relates to the stance of the organization in support of any action again the [Israeli] occupation," Abu Salah added.
On Tuesday, five people were killed and six wounded in a terrorist attack, committed by two Palestinian men, cousins Ghassan and Uday Abu Jamal, who carried out the attack at a synagogue in Jerusalem's Har Nof neighborhood with knives and axes. Both terrorists were shot dead by the police.
The Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, an armed wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, claimed responsibility for the synagogue killings. The organization, as well as Hamas, reportedly praised the attack. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the act of violence suffered by Israeli civilians.
One of the main reasons for the recently amplified clashes between Arabs and Jews, including riots and terror attacks, is the alleged intention of Israel to reconsider the status quo on Jerusalem's Temple Mount in favor of Jews, who are currently not allowed to pray in the area. However, Israeli authorities have repeatedly denied having such plans.
