The recent attack on a Jerusalem synagogue which killed five people is the latest in a string of violence and terrorism in Israel’s capital. The brutal murders are the most deadly attack thus far, and pressure is mounting on Israel’s government to find a way to stop the attacks and restore security to the city.
Since September, Jerusalem has endured dozens of minor attacks against children on playgrounds, railway passengers, worshippers at the Western Wall, border policemen, and other ordinary citizens. Incidents range from rock throwing and firework projectiles to stabbings and car rammings. The people of Jerusalem no longer feel safe in their own city as gangs of Arab youths and lone terrorists make it impossible to conduct the ordinary business of life without fear of attack.
After the attack on the synagogue, Prime Minister Netanyahu is calling for unity among Israel’s government as they work to restore calm to Jerusalem.
The prime minister met last week with US Secretary of State John Kerry and Jordan’s King Abdullah to try to work out a security agreement that will diffuse the current unrest among the Palestinian population of Jerusalem. Netanyahu blames the Palestinian Authority for fueling rumors meant to anger the Palestinians and incite them to violence. He urged world leaders to condemn the violence and pressure the Palestinian Authority to cooperate with Israel in restoring order.
“Israel will not tolerate this reality, we will fight terrorism and we will prevail. We will restore law, order, security, and peace to the streets of Jerusalem. We will settle the score with terrorists and whoever sends them as a state. We have proven we can do so in the past,” said Netanyahu on Wednesday.
