2023 Neve Yaakov shooting

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2023 Neve Yaakov shooting
Part of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict
2023 Neve Yaakov synagogue shooting IV.jpg
The car in which the assailant was shot while fleeing
Location Neve Yaakov, East Jerusalem, West Bank
Coordinates 31°50′17″N35°14′19″E / 31.83806°N 35.23861°E / 31.83806; 35.23861
Date27 January 2023 (2023-01-27)
8:13 p.m. (UTC+2)
Attack type
 Mass shooting
Deaths7 civilians (+1 attacker)
Injured3
AssailantKhairi Alqam

On 27 January 2023, a Palestinian [1] gunman killed at least seven civilians in the Israeli settlement [2] [3] [4] [5] of Neve Yaakov, [6] [7] [8] in East Jerusalem, the occupied West Bank. The suspect is also reported as having shot at worshippers exiting a synagogue, and, according to the police, was shot and killed after he opened fire on the attending officers. [9] It was Israel's deadliest peacetime Palestinian attack since the Jerusalem yeshiva attack in 2008. [10]

Contents

Palestinian militant groups did not claim the suspect as a member, but called the attack a natural retaliation for the raid in Jenin the day prior that killed 10 Palestinians, while the Palestinian Authority blamed the Israeli government for "dangerous escalation". [11]

Many nations and international organizations issued statements condemning the attack while others called for restraint. [12] Palestinian and Israeli sources stated that between 42 and 50 people had been arrested since the attack, mostly family members of the perpetrator. [13] [14]

Attack

According to Haaretz, the attacker first walked 200 metres past the Neve Yaakov synagogue and killed four passersby and a motorcyclist. People who had heard the shots began to emerge from the synagogue and the attacker fired at them and then, on the way back to his car, killed two more people at an intersection. [15]

The gunman fled the scene towards the Palestinian neighborhood of Beit Hanina, where he was confronted by police officers and shot dead after opening fire on them while attempting to flee on foot. [10]

Seven people were killed in the attack, five men and two women. The victims ranged from ages 14 to 68. [16] At least three other people were wounded. [10] [8] One of the women killed was confirmed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to have been a Ukrainian citizen. [17]

Background

The shooting took place on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which some commentators suggested could be connected to the attack. On the other hand, there is just as much to suggest that it was an act of revenge driven by biographical motives. [18]

Location

Neve Yaakov, the location where the attack took place, is an Israeli settlement in East Jerusalem established in 1972 on land expropriated from three neighboring Palestinian towns; it forms part of a belt of settlements interspersed among the area's Palestinian neighborhoods. Writing in Mondoweiss, Jalal Abukhater argues that Neve Yaakov "in its entirety is built on private and titled lands, whose Palestinian owners were never consulted or compensated before the hostile takeover", in addition to being home of the Israeli Defence Force's Central Command over the West Bank, and the "attack cannot be separated from this context." [19]

Perpetrator

The attacker was identified as Khairi Alqam, a 21-year-old resident of East Jerusalem. [10] [20] An eighteen-year-old relative of his had been killed two days before the attack by Israeli authorities after he reportedly threatened them with a gun which turned out to be a toy. [21]

Alqam's grandfather, whom he was named after, was killed in the 1997–99 Jerusalem stabbings alongside three other Palestinians in 1998 of which the suspect is Haim Ferelman, an Israeli settler and member of the Kach movement. [21] [22]

Musa Alqam, the father of the attacker, said he had no knowledge of his son having planned for such an attack or if he was motivated by revenge. [23] He told Arab media he was proud of his son, and said that "Today is his wedding. I married him today. God will help me and make him better tomorrow." [24] [25] [26]

Israeli response

Israeli Police at the scene 2023 Neve Yaakov synagogue shooting I.jpg
Israeli Police at the scene

Palestinian and Israeli sources stated that between 42 and 50 people have been arrested since the attack, mostly members of the family of the perpetrator. [13] [14] Additionally, Israel is planning on demolishing the perpetrator's house. On 28 January, his home was evacuated and sealed in preparation for demolition. [27]

Following the attack, the office of Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, reported that the Cabinet was pushing to strip the residency and citizenship rights of the families of the perpetrator of this attack and others, and also possibly forcibly deport them from the country to the occupied West Bank. [23] The office also said social security benefits would be cancelled for the families of attackers. [28]

Human rights groups pointed out that such measures are collective punishment. [23] The Palestinian Foreign Ministry called the measures a "grave violations of international law, the Geneva Conventions, a collective punishment, and an extension of the Israeli policies aimed at affecting the Palestinian presence in Jerusalem." [29]

Netanyahu himself pledged a "strong, swift and precise" response, [30] and also announced plans to make it easier for Israelis to obtain firearms. [28]

Palestinian response

Fireworks were lit in Gaza and the West Bank by some Palestinians in celebration of the attack. West Bank and Gaza celebrations after 2023 East Jerusalem Synagogue shooting.png
Fireworks were lit in Gaza and the West Bank by some Palestinians in celebration of the attack.

Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian National Authority, published a statement saying that "the government of Israel is fully responsible for this dangerous escalation." [31]

Palestinian militant groups called the attack a retaliation for the Jenin raid. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem referred to the attack as "jihadist and resistance action in the city of Jerusalem" and stated that the battle against the occupation "continues and continues". [32] PIJ spokesman Tariq Ezz El-Din praised what he referred to as a "suicide operation" in response to the "Jenin massacre" the day prior. [32]

Dozens of Palestinians congregated in impromptu gatherings across the Gaza Strip to celebrate the attack. Similar celebrations, including fireworks, sweets, gunfire and car honking, were reported in the West Bank cities of Ramallah, Nablus, Jenin, Hebron, and the East Jerusalem locality of Beit Hanina. [2] [33] [6] [34]

International reactions

Many nations and international organizations issued statements of condemnation following the shooting attack. [12] According to two UN diplomats, it was also unanimously condemned by the 15 members of the UN Security Council in a closed session. [35]

By country

Other entities

See also

Related Research Articles

Note: This compilation includes only those attacks that resulted in casualties. Attacks which did not kill or wound are not included.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neve Yaakov</span> Israeli settlement in East Jerusalem

Neve Yaakov is an Israeli settlement in East Jerusalem, part of the Israeli-occupied territories, north of the settlement of Pisgat Ze'ev and south of the Palestinian locality of al-Ram. Established in 1924 during the period of the British Mandate, it was depopulated during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. The area was captured by Israel in the Six-Day War and a new neighborhood was built nearby, at which time international opposition to its legitimacy began. The international community considers Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem illegal under international law, but the Israeli government disputes this, defining it as a neighborhood within the jurisdiction of the Jerusalem Municipality, which provides all services. The population of Neve Yaakov is 23,300. Neve Yaakov is one of the Ring Settlements of East Jerusalem. The settlement is also the location of the IDF's Central Command for the West Bank, Jerusalem, Sharon, Gush Dan and Shephelah.

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References

  1. ↑ Rubin, Shira (27 January 2023). "At least 5 killed in Jerusalem synagogue shooting". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  2. 1 2 Federman, Josef; Debre, Isabel (27 January 2023). "Palestinian gunman kills 7 near Jerusalem synagogue". AP NEWS. Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  3. ↑ Breiner, Josh (27 January 2023). "Seven Dead, Three Wounded in East Jerusalem Synagogue Shooting Attack". Haaretz.com. Archived from the original on 28 January 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  4. ↑ "Gunman kills at least 5 people in East Jerusalem attack". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  5. ↑ Kingsley, Patrick; Rosen, Jonathan (27 January 2023). "At Least 7 Killed in Attack in Jewish Area of East Jerusalem". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331. Archived from the original on 28 January 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Greene, Richard Allen; Gold, Hadas; Tal, Amir; John, Tara (27 January 2023). "At least seven dead in Jerusalem synagogue attack, Israeli police say". CNN. Archived from the original on 28 January 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  7. ↑ Zaig, Gadi. "Seven killed, 10 injured in synagogue in Jerusalem terror attack". The Jerusalem Post | Jpost.com. Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  8. 1 2 Kermani, Secunder (27 January 2023). "Eight people killed in shooting at a Jerusalem synagogue". Channel 4 News. Archived from the original on 28 January 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  9. ↑ Estrin, Daniel (27 January 2023). "At least 7 people killed in a Jerusalem synagogue shooting". NPR. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Fabian, Emanuel (27 January 2023). "Palestinian terrorist shoots 7 dead in 'murderous rampage' near Jerusalem synagogue". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  11. ↑ Chacar, Henriette; Al-Mughrabi, Nidal; Al-Mughrabi, Nidal (27 January 2023). "Seven killed in synagogue attack as West Bank violence spirals". Reuters . Archived from the original on 28 January 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Fabian, Emanuel (28 January 2023). "Palestinian Authority: Israel 'fully responsible' for 'dangerous escalation'". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 28 January 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  13. 1 2 "Since the attack in Jerusalem last night, Israeli occupation forces have detained some 50 Palestinians". WAFA Agency. 28 January 2023. Archived from the original on 28 January 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  14. 1 2 Rubin, Shira; Ables, Kelsey; Booth, William (28 January 2023). "Second Jerusalem shooting of Israelis puts region on high alert" . The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 28 January 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  15. ↑ Peleg, Bar; Breiner, Josh; Hasson, Nir (28 January 2023). "Six Minutes of Terror: How the Deadliest Attack in Israel in Recent Years Unfolded". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  16. ↑ Fabian, Emanuel (28 January 2023). "The 7 victims of Jerusalem terror shooting named; include teen and synagogue sexton". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  17. ↑ Peleschuk, Dan (28 January 2023). "Zelenskiy says Ukrainian woman killed in Jerusalem attacks" . Reuters. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  18. ↑ Meier, Christian (28 January 2023). "Tote in Israel: Zwei Angriffe kurz nacheinander in Ostjerusalem" [Deaths in Israel: Two attacks in East Jerusalem in quick succession]. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). Tel Aviv. Retrieved 10 February 2023. Manche Kommentatoren wiesen darauf hin, dass die Tat am Internationalen Holocaust-Gedenktag stattfand. Sie zielte offensichtlich auf gläubige Juden ab. Allerdings spricht ebenso einiges dafür, dass die Attacke ein Racheakt war, der durch persönliche Umstände veranlasst worden ist.[Some commentators pointed out that the act took place on International Holocaust Remembrance Day. It was obviously aimed at religious Jews. However, there is also strong evidence that the attack was an act of revenge triggered by personal circumstances.]
  19. ↑ Abukhater, Jalal (2 February 2023). "Contextualizing the shooting in Neve Yaakov". Mondoweiss .
  20. ↑ Ravid, Barak (27 January 2023). "At least 7 Israelis killed in shooting attack at Jerusalem synagogue". axios.com. Axios. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  21. 1 2 Meier, Christian; Aviv, Tel (1 January 1970). "Tote in Israel: Zwei Angriffe kurz nacheinander in Ostjerusalem". Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  22. ↑ "Palestinian shooter was named after grandfather killed by Israeli settler". Middle East Eye. 28 January 2023. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  23. 1 2 3 "Israel prepares to demolish home of Palestinian gunman who killed 7 in East Jerusalem". PBS NewsHour. 29 January 2023. Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  24. ↑ "אב המחבל שרצח 7 יהודים בירושלים: "שמח שהוא עשה זאת, זה כמו חתונה"". Now 14 (in Hebrew). 28 January 2023. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  25. ↑ "N12 – אביו של המחבל: "זו השמחה שלי, כמו החתונה שלו"". N12 (in Hebrew). 28 January 2023. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  26. ↑ "موقع خبرني : بالفيديو .. والد الشهيد خيري علقم: اليوم عرسه أنا زوّجته اليوم". موقع خبرني (in Arabic). Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  27. ↑ Breiner, Josh; Lis, Jonahtan (29 January 2023). "Israel Seals Off Home of Jerusalem Synagogue Shooter in Preparation for Demolition". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  28. 1 2 "Netanyahu announces plans to arm Israelis after Jerusalem attack". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  29. ↑ al-Rujoub, Awad; Asmar, Ahmed (30 January 2023). "Palestine condemns Israeli punitive measures after Jerusalem attack". Anadolu Agency. Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  30. ↑ Lubell, Maayan (29 January 2023). "Israel promises swift response to synagogue shooting". Reuters. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  31. ↑ Khoury, Jack (28 January 2023). "Israel at Fault for Escalation in Security Situation, Palestinian President Abbas Says". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  32. 1 2 "Israel: 7 murdered in east Jerusalem terror attack, assailant 'neutralized'". I24news. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  33. ↑ "Palestinian towns celebrate murder of 7 Israelis in Jerusalem synagogue attack". I24news. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  34. ↑ "Palestinians celebrate deadly terror shooting in Jerusalem with fireworks, sweets". Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 28 January 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  35. ↑ Magid, Jacob (28 January 2023). "Jerusalem attack unanimously condemned at UN Security Council session on conflict". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  36. 1 2 3 4 5 "World leaders condemn 'heinous' Jerusalem synagogue massacre". I24news. 28 January 2023. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  37. ↑ "India condemns attack at Jerusalem synagogue" . The Hindu. 28 January 2023. ISSN   0971-751X. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  38. 1 2 Khoury, Jack; Samuels, Ben (28 January 2023). "Saudi Arabia 'Condemns All Targeting of Civilians' After Deadly East Jerusalem Synagogue Attack". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  39. ↑ "Riyadh condemns terror attack against Israelis in unusual move". anews. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  40. 1 2 Fulbright, Alexander; Magid, Jacob (27 January 2023). "Washington, UN, UAE, many others condemn 'heinous, tragic' Jerusalem terror shooting". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
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