AFP

Washington

US President Barack Obama yesterday condemned a “horrific attack” on a Jerusalem synagogue that killed four people, including three American citizens, and urged Israel and the Palestinians to seek peace. 

Obama called the assault “a tragedy for both Israel as well as the United States”.

 “Tragically, this is not the first loss of life that we have seen in recent months,” he warned. 

“Too many Israelis have died, and too many Palestinians have died. And at this difficult time, I think it’s important for both Palestinians and Israelis to try to work together to lower tensions and to reject violence.”

The fourth Israeli victim has been identified as a British national. Eight more people were wounded.

The attack began shortly after dawn when assailants burst into a Jewish seminary. Police exchanged gunfire with the attackers, killing them. Two police were wounded. 

Obama warned against a “spiral” of violence.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to respond with a “heavy hand” and accused Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of inciting violence in Jerusalem.

Abbas condemned the attack, which took place after weeks of unrest fuelled in part by Israeli provocations at Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa mosque.

Abbas has said Muslims have a right to defend their sacred places if attacked.

Five Israelis and a foreign visitor were killed in the Palestinian attacks that preceded yesterday’s incident. At least 10 Palestinians have also been killed, including those accused of carrying out the attacks prior to the synagogue assault.

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine group said it carried out the attack, which it called a “heroic operation”.

Palestinian radio described the attackers as “martyrs” and Hamas praised the attack.