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UN Security Council condemns Jerusalem ‘terrorist attack’

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Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Service issued a statement yesterday (Nov 19) urging leaders to avoid escalating tensions in Jerusalem.

This comes after five people died in an attack on a synagogue in Israel on Tuesday.

 “Singapore is deeply concerned about recent developments in Jerusalem. We condemn all acts of violence against innocent civilians, in particular the heinous attack at a synagogue on Nov 18, 2014. 

Places of worship of all faiths are sacrosanct and must be respected and protected by all.  We call on the political leadership on all sides to avoid escalating tensions which could spiral into a new cycle of violence.”  Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore. 

The UN Security Council has also strongly condemned the “despicable terrorist attack”and called on both Israeli and Palestinian leaders to restore calm.

Four rabbis and a policeman were killed after two Palestinians wielding meat cleavers and a pistol launched a rare assault on the place of worship in West Jerusalem.

Condemning violence and bloodshed

In an unanimous statement, the 15-member council expressed concern over rising Israeli-Palestinian tensions.

It also stressed the importance of condemning the violence after Hamas hailed the attack.

The council “encouraged Israeli and Palestinian leaders and citizens to work together to lower tension, reject violence, avoid all provocations and seek a path toward peace.”

In a reference apparently directed at Israel over possible reprisals, the council “reminded states that they must ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law.”

Diplomats said the statement was issued following discussions with the United States, which consulted with Israel over the wording.

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the attack on Tuesday with a statement calling on both sides to “make the difficult decisions” needed to revive the peace process.

Sources: MFA, AFP

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