Abbas issues lukewarm condemnation of Jerusalem synagogue massacre, highlighting Israel's supposed “aggression against the Al-Aqsa Mosque"

PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas: “[The] synagogue [attack] in Jerusalem, which led to the murder of several Israelis: Of course, we strongly condemn such incidents, and under no circumstances do we condone acts of terror against citizens. We say here that just as we condemn this aggression, we condemn the aggression against the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem (i.e., the Temple Mount), against the holy places and the burning of mosques (i.e., an allusion to the firebombing of a mosque in a village north of Ramallah on Nov. 12, 2014) and churches, because none of these serves the common interest in the name of which we are acting toward the establishment of two states – the State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel. We call for complete respite from all these actions, in order to allow us to continue the diplomatic route and diplomatic activity, which will bring peace to the Middle East.”

Note: On Nov. 18, 2014, two Arab terrorists, Ghassan and Uday Abu Jamal from East Jerusalem, entered a synagogue in Jerusalem and attacked worshippers with guns, knives and axes, killing 4 worshippers and a police officer. 7 people were injured, 3 of them seriously. The terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire with Israeli Security Forces that arrived on the scene.