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Four killed in Jerusalem synagogue attack Four killed in Jerusalem synagogue attack
(35 minutes later)
At least four Israelis have been killed and eight injured when two men with a pistol, knives and axes attacked a West Jerusalem synagogue, police say.At least four Israelis have been killed and eight injured when two men with a pistol, knives and axes attacked a West Jerusalem synagogue, police say.
The attackers - Palestinians from East Jerusalem - were shot dead, police say.The attackers - Palestinians from East Jerusalem - were shot dead, police say.
Jerusalem has seen tensions between Israelis and Palestinians soar, with a string of deadly attacks and clashes over a disputed holy site.Jerusalem has seen tensions between Israelis and Palestinians soar, with a string of deadly attacks and clashes over a disputed holy site.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to respond "with a heavy hand to the brutal murder".Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to respond "with a heavy hand to the brutal murder".
"This is a direct result of incitement led by Hamas and [Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, known as] Abu Mazen, incitement that the international community has been irresponsibly ignoring," he said in a statement."This is a direct result of incitement led by Hamas and [Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, known as] Abu Mazen, incitement that the international community has been irresponsibly ignoring," he said in a statement.
Hamas and Mr Abbas's Fatah party - both rival Palestinian factions - agreed to form a unity government earlier this year, in a move denounced at the time by Israel.Hamas and Mr Abbas's Fatah party - both rival Palestinian factions - agreed to form a unity government earlier this year, in a move denounced at the time by Israel.
Hamas and another Palestinian Islamist militant group, Islamic Jihad, praised the attack. Israel has designated both groups as terrorist organisations. There has been no comment so far from Mr Abbas.Hamas and another Palestinian Islamist militant group, Islamic Jihad, praised the attack. Israel has designated both groups as terrorist organisations. There has been no comment so far from Mr Abbas.
Analysis by Kevin Connolly, BBC News, Jerusalem
Jerusalem has been a place of division fiercely contested by rival religious traditions for many hundreds of years.
In the last few weeks tensions have risen sharply - largely as the result of the revival of an ancient dispute over rights of worship at a site within the walls of the Old City.
Muslims call the site al-Haram al-Sharif and believe it is the place where the Prophet Muhammad ascended into heaven - to Jews it is Temple Mount and marks the place where the sacred temples of their faith stood in ancient times.
By a long-standing tradition or status quo Muslims alone have the right to pray at the site although people of other faiths may visit.
The issue is of such sensitivity that even when Israel captured the Old City of Jerusalem during the war of 1967 it handed control of the compound back to an Islamic religious authority which continues to administer it to this day.
In recent times some religious Jews have begun to argue for a change in the status quo which would also allow them to pray there - any hint of such change is viewed with deep anger in the Islamic world.
The sensitivities surrounding the issue lie behind an increase in tensions in Jerusalem in the last few weeks in which a number of people have been killed although this morning's incident is the most serious and the most shocking.
Jerusalem - city on edge
What makes Jerusalem so holy
US Secretary of State John Kerry said the act of "pure terror... simply has no place in human behaviour". He called on the Palestinian leadership to condemn it.US Secretary of State John Kerry said the act of "pure terror... simply has no place in human behaviour". He called on the Palestinian leadership to condemn it.
The attack happened at a religious seminary site on Harav Shimon Agassi Street - home to a largely Orthodox Jewish community in the Har Nof neighbourhood.The attack happened at a religious seminary site on Harav Shimon Agassi Street - home to a largely Orthodox Jewish community in the Har Nof neighbourhood.
Police say there was a shoot-out with the attackers, said to be cousins, when officers reached the scene.Police say there was a shoot-out with the attackers, said to be cousins, when officers reached the scene.
Pictures posted online by an Israeli military spokesman show a bloodied meat cleaver - apparently used in the attack - inside the building.Pictures posted online by an Israeli military spokesman show a bloodied meat cleaver - apparently used in the attack - inside the building.
They show bodies lying between desks and chairs on a blood-stained floor, their faces covered with their prayer shawls.They show bodies lying between desks and chairs on a blood-stained floor, their faces covered with their prayer shawls.
"I tried to escape. The man with the knife approached me. There was a chair and table between us... my prayer shawl got caught. I left it there and escaped," one of the Israelis told Channel 2 television."I tried to escape. The man with the knife approached me. There was a chair and table between us... my prayer shawl got caught. I left it there and escaped," one of the Israelis told Channel 2 television.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the incident was being viewed "as a terrorist attack". He said the area had been sealed off and the injured - six worshippers and two policemen - were being treated in Jerusalem hospitals. Four are said to be in a serious condition.Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the incident was being viewed "as a terrorist attack". He said the area had been sealed off and the injured - six worshippers and two policemen - were being treated in Jerusalem hospitals. Four are said to be in a serious condition.
Mr Rosenfeld told the BBC the attackers were killed at the entrance to the building. No other attackers were involved, he said.Mr Rosenfeld told the BBC the attackers were killed at the entrance to the building. No other attackers were involved, he said.
Jerusalem on edgeJerusalem on edge
Tensions in the city have risen in recent weeks, with two deadly attacks by Palestinian militants on pedestrians in the city and announcements by Israel of plans to build more settler homes in East Jerusalem.Tensions in the city have risen in recent weeks, with two deadly attacks by Palestinian militants on pedestrians in the city and announcements by Israel of plans to build more settler homes in East Jerusalem.
Rabbi Yehuda Glick - a leading campaigner - was shot and wounded last month by a Palestinian as he left a conference on Jewish claims to the Jerusalem holy site.Rabbi Yehuda Glick - a leading campaigner - was shot and wounded last month by a Palestinian as he left a conference on Jewish claims to the Jerusalem holy site.
The compound - known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif - is the holiest site in Judaism, while the al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam.The compound - known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif - is the holiest site in Judaism, while the al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam.
Orthodox Jewish campaigners in Israel are challenging the long-standing ban on Jews praying at the compound.Orthodox Jewish campaigners in Israel are challenging the long-standing ban on Jews praying at the compound.
Palestinians want East Jerusalem, occupied by Israel since 1967, as the capital of a future state.Palestinians want East Jerusalem, occupied by Israel since 1967, as the capital of a future state.
Israel and the Palestinian Authority have blamed each other for the recent unrest in the city.Israel and the Palestinian Authority have blamed each other for the recent unrest in the city.
Jerusalem's holiest siteJerusalem's holiest site
Are you in West Jerusalem? Has the attack affected you? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you are willing to talk to a BBC journalist, please include a contact number.Are you in West Jerusalem? Has the attack affected you? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you are willing to talk to a BBC journalist, please include a contact number.
Have your sayHave your say