Israeli security men shot dead

Palestinian kills three and wounds one at Jerusalem settlement

JERUSALEM: A Palestinian attacker opened fire at the entrance to a settlement outside Jerusalem, killing three Israeli security men and critically wounding a fourth, Israeli police and medical services said, in one of the deadliest attacks in a twoyear spate of violence.

Gaza’s Hamas rulers praised the attack but stopped short of taking responsibility for it.

Israeli officials said yesterday the attacker was a 37- year- old Palestinian father of four who appeared to have acted alone.

The attack comes at a tense period amid the Jewish high holidays and is likely to complicate the mediation efforts of United States peace envoy Jason Greenblatt, who had just arrived in the region for meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

Speaking at his weekly Cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attack was partially a result of systematic Palestinian incitement: “I expect Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to condemn this attack and not try to justify it.”

Police spokesman Luba Samri said the attacker approached the back gate entrance of the Har Adar settlement, hiding among dozens of Palestinian day labourers who were being checked by security forces.

The man aroused police suspicions and was asked to stop, Samri said.

“At that point, he pulled out a weapon and began opening fire from a short distance.

“The attacker, who held a valid permit to work in Israel, was then shot dead by other forces at the scene.”

The Magen David Adom medical service said that in addition to the three killed, a fourth Israeli man, 32, was evacuated to hospital in critical condition.

The casualties were identified as Solomon Gavria, a 20-year-old policeman, and two private security guards.

Har Adar is an upscale communi- ty west of Jerusalem, straddling the seam line between the West Bank and Israel proper – and an unusual target in the wave of violence that Israel has been coping with over the past two years.

Shay Retter, the head of Har Adar’s security committee, said that between 100 and 150 Palestinian labourers typically enter the community each day for work.

Local residents said they knew the attacker from previous work he had carried out in the community and were shocked to hear what he had done.

The military imposed a closure on the nearby Palestinian village of Beit Surik, the home of the attacker.

Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said he saw no difference between Palestinian terrorism and radical terrorism targeting sites in Europe and elsewhere. — AP

I expect Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to condemn this attack and not try to justify it.

Benjamin Netanyahu