BICOM

British political leaders united in their condemnation of yesterday’s synagogue terror attack, which included among its victims 68-year-old British born Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Goldberg.

Using Twitter, Prime Minister David Cameron commented, “I’m appalled by today’s horrific attack on worshippers at a Jerusalem synagogue. My thoughts are with the victims’ families.”

At a press conference, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond commented: “I condemned in the strongest possible terms the appalling attack that took place this morning at a synagogue in Jerusalem, in which at least four people have been murdered in a place of worship. I call on all world leaders to step up and condemn this brutality. Both sides must do everything possible to de-escalate tensions, which are extremely dangerous for the Israeli and Palestinian communities.”

Opposition leader Ed Miliband also tweeted condemnation: “I’m horrified by the barbaric attack on the synagogue in Jerusalem – an appalling act of terrorism to be totally condemned. My thoughts are with the families of the victims and people of the holy city.”

However, Former Foreign Office and Communities Minister Baroness Warsi tweeted: “Israeli extremists storm Al Aqsa & intimidate worshippers Palestinian extremists storm synagogue & kill 4 worshippers #Tragic  #peacenotwar.”

Her comment was read by many as justifying the synagogue murders as a response to Jews visiting the Temple Mount. Conservative Party Chairman Grant Shapps responded by saying: “To be clear [Baroness Warsi] speaks for herself, not the party. Our prayers are w/ families of those murdered. No justification for terrorism.”

Internationally, the attack was condemned by President Barack Obama and leaders of France, Germany and other European nations. Perhaps most unusually, Bahrain’s Foreign Minister also spoke out against the murders as “killing innocents in a house of prayer.”