Terrorist Attack Hit’s Jewish Yeshiva

An Israeli ambulance evacuates the wounded outside the Merkaz Harav Yeshiva in Jerusalem after a Palestinian shooting attack left eight Jewish students dead on March 6, 2008.

7 March 2008

At least eight people have been killed and 35 more wounded in a shootout at a Jewish school in west Jerusalem.

Witnesses said that an armed man entered the yeshiva, or religious school, and opened fire on Thursday.

The seminary is located in the Kyriat Moshe neighborhood.

The assailant reportedly entered a dining hall where about 80 people were gathered, and opened fire.

Shmuel Ben Ruby, Jerusalem police spokesman, said: "One terrorist infiltrated the Mercaz Harav seminary and opened fire in all directions.

"[He] was killed in an exchange of fire, and apparently he had an explosives belt."

Aharon Franco, another police official, said that the assailant came from Jabel Mukaber, a neighbourhood in east Jerusalem.

Israel captured east Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war and immediately annexed the area.

In contrast to Palestinians in the West Bank, Arab residents of Jerusalem have Israeli identification cards, allowing them free movement between Israel and the West Bank.

Security lapse

A news Reporter, from the scene of the attack, said that questions will be raised as to how the assailants passed through the many security checks situated in the area.

"There are numerous checkpoints throughout the city," he said.

"The deaths will ultimately raise many questions regarding the apparent lapse in surveillance around the school."

"The terrorists attack a school and innocent people," Arye Mekel said.

"They are trying to kill the chances for peace. We will continue our fight against terrorists."

The attacks alleged perpetrators are more likely working with Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah Terrorist organization; makes for a grim reminder, of the numerous school shootings that occur in the United States.

Furthermore, it always makes for a sad day, when there is any lost of life; especially by methods such as this.