Jordan urges restraint after Jerusalem synagogue attack

Jordan Wednesday called for self-restraint in Jerusalem after four Israelis were killed and eight injured in an attack at a synagogue in west Jerusalem Tuesday, media reported.

Jordan's Minister of State Mohammad Momani said Jordan is following up closely on the serious developments in Jerusalem, reiterating Jordan's constant position that denounces the targeting of civilians, Xinhua reported citing the state-run Petra news agency.

Jordan condemns all acts of violence and terrorism that target civilians regardless of their grounds and source, said Momani.

The minister also called on Israel to end all its unilateral measures in Jerusalem and defuse tension in the holy city. Israel should stop all its violations against Al Aqsa Mosaue, he said.

The minister also called on the international community to create the proper environment for the resumption of peace talks between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

Tuesday, two suspects entered a synagogue in the Har Nof neighbourhood in Jerusalem with knives and axes.

"Four Israelis were killed and the two terrorists were shot and killed by police," police spokesperson Mickey Rosenfeld said, adding that the attackers went from room to room and attacked the Jewish worshippers with guns, knives and axes.

Tuesday's attack is another incident in a chain that have taken place in Jerusalem, as tensions between Jews and Arabs are mounting. Sunday evening, a 32-year-old Jewish man was stabbed and injured by a Palestinian perpetrator.

Last week, two Israelis were killed in separate attacks in Tel Aviv and the West Bank, amid several other sporadic attacks in Jerusalem as clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces continued there.

The tensions largely stem from the expansion of Jewish settlements in east Jerusalem, territories which were annexed by Israel in the 1967 Mideast War.

Violence was also triggered during clashes over the status quo of al-Aqsa Mosque or Temple Mount, a holy site for both Jews and Muslims.