Jerusalem synagogue attack: Israel vows retaliation

Jerusalem: Israel vowed harsh retaliation Tuesday for a Palestinian attack that killed five people and left blood-smeared prayer books and shawls on the floor of a synagogue in Jerusalem, an assault that sharply escalated already-high tensions after weeks of religious violence.

Two Palestinian cousins wielding meat cleavers, knives and a handgun carried out the attack during morning prayers in the west Jerusalem neighbourhood of Har Nof. They were shot to death by police after the deadliest assault in the holy city since 2008.

Four of the dead were rabbis and one was a police officer who died of his wounds hours after the attack. Three of the rabbis were born in the United States and the fourth was born in England, although all held dual Israeli citizenship. Five others were wounded.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the attack, the first time he has done so in the wave of deadly violence against Israelis. But he also called for an end to Israeli "provocations" surrounding Jerusalem's shrines that are sacred to both Muslims and Jews.

President Barack Obama called the attack "horrific" and without justification, urging cooperation from both sides to ease tensions and adding that too many Israelis and Palestinians have died in recent months.