Even though the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, denounced Tuesday's synagogue attack in West Jerusalem, Israel's President Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attackers as "animals" and at least 12 of their family members have been arrested prior to the expected demolishment of their homes. The punishment occurs in response to the death of five synagogue attendees: three were rabbis, three were United States citizens and one was was a British national. The two Palestinian attackers used a handgun and a meat cleaver after they entered the place of worship, located in the Har Nof neighborhood, during a morning prayer session.
Since Tuesday's incident, a police officer and one of the assailants are dead, as police arrived at the synagogue within minutes, resulting in a confrontation. Meanwhile, seven Israelis who were injured in the attack remain in hospital.
The response from the U.S. administration has been consistent and supportive of Netanyahu, as Kerry described actions that have "no place in human behavior." President Obama elaborated further in a diplomatic manner, as he followed his rejection of violence and tension with a call for peace, whereby he acknowledged that most Israelis and Palestinians wish for an end to conflict.
While the synagogue killings have been identified as the latest in a series of "lone wolf" incidents-people acting on their own and not as representatives of any organization-the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine claimed credit for the attack, in addition to expressing praise. Praise was also given by Hamas, who made it clear that they are not connected to the two Palestinians involved.
In terms of blame, Netanyahu has publicly pointed the finger at Palestinian leaders, while the Palestinian media framed the attack as a retaliatory measure directly related to the Arab bus driver who was hanged in West Jerusalem on Monday. Tuesday's synagogue incident resulted in the highest number of deaths of any assault in Jerusalem over the last six years and the full extent of Israel's response is still forthcoming.
