New Delhi, 18th November, 2014: On Tuesday morning, two Palestinian terrorists, armed with axes, knives and a pistol entered a synagogue in western Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Nof, killing 4 Israelis and seriously injuring 4. About 30 worshipers were in the midst of the morning prayers at the time of the attack.

 

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has set the blame for the gruesome attack on Mahmoud Abbas and said that this is the result of the direct incitement being led by Hamas and President Abbas. Foreign Minister Avidgor Liberman blamed Abbas for turning the conflict into a religious conflict between Jews and Muslims.

 

 

The Israeli leadership’s stand echoes and validates the words of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who addressed a joint session of the Australian Parliament earlier today, saying “Terrorism is changing in character and expanding in its reach. We need a comprehensive global strategy for a global problem and it will require closer security cooperation; but, even more, a policy of no distinction between terrorist groups or discrimination between nations; a resolve to isolate those who harbour terrorists, willingness to empower states that will fight them; a social movement against extremism in countries where it is most prevalent; and, every effort to delink religion and terrorism.”

 

 

Israel calls on the International Community to take action and condemn the incitement being led by the Palestinian Authority and President Abbas and to cease its encouragement and support for communal and religious violence such as the massacre in Jerusalem.

 

 

Those who support terror in the name of religion cannot be seen as legitimate political figures.

Israel remains committed to fight terror and will defend its citizens from any act of violence.