US condemns terror attack in Jerusalem, calls for eradication of terrorism

The US strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Jerusalem’s Old City in which two Israeli police officers were killed and called for the “defeat” and eradication of terrorism. [caption id=“attachment_3814289” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Israeli border policemen secure the area near the scene of the shooting attack in Jerusalem’s Old City. Reuters[/caption] “The people of the US are heartbroken that terrorists brutally gunned down two Israeli police officers, and we extend our prayers and sympathies to the families of the victims. The US strongly condemns the terror attack,” White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said. Asserting that there must be zero tolerance for terrorism, Spicer said it was incompatible with achieving peace. “We must condemn it in the strongest terms, defeat it, and eradicate it,” he said. “The attack forced the government of Israel to temporarily close the Temple Mount Haram al Sharif to conduct its investigation. Israel has assured the world that it has no intention to alter the status of this holy site, a decision which the United States applauds and welcomes,” he said. “We urge all leaders and people of good faith to be understanding as this process proceeds and reaches its conclusion,” Spicer said. Israeli policemen came under attack from three Arabs in Jerusalem on Friday, killing two before fleeing to an ultra- sensitive holy site where they were also killed. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone later in the day as tensions heightened over the attack.