6.3.08 Terrorist Shooting at Mercaz Harav Yeshiva in Jerusalem
Israel Government Press Office Friday, 07 March, 2008
ttp://tinyurl.com/368cqx

Terror in yeshiva library

A Palestinian terrorist infiltrated the Mercaz Harav rabbinical seminary
( www.mercazharav.org.il/eng.asp ) on Thursday evening and opened fire
on a crowded library and study hall, killing eight people and wounding 11
others. The yeshiva, located in the Kiryat Moshe neighborhood near the
entrance to Jerusalem, is home to several hundred students, most aged 18-30.
The 'Galilee Freedom Brigades' - an Israeli-Arab group - has claimed
responsibility for the attack.

On Thursday evening, the yeshiva students - mostly teenagers - had returned
from prayers at the Western Wall. They were about to begin a party
celebrating the beginning of the month of Adar - a month of joy marked by
the Purim holiday. Many of the students had gathered in the yeshiva library
before the party when the terrorist opened fire.

Celebrations in Gaza

Gaza's streets filled with joyous crowds of thousands on Thursday evening
following the terror attack at a Jerusalem rabbinical seminary in which
eight people were killed. In mosques in Gaza City and northern Gaza, many
residents went to perform the prayers of thanksgiving. Armed men fired in
the air in celebration and others passed out sweets to passersby.

Hamas issued a statement saying the group "blesses the (Jerusalem)
operation. It will not be the last."

Reactions

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni: "The murderous rampage against students
marking a religious event exemplifies all too well the heinous extremism of
the fundamentalist foundations Palestinian terrorism is built upon. Israel
will never allow terrorism to achieve its goals. Despicable attacks such as
this must strengthen the free world's understanding of the terrorist threat,
in the face of which we must stand resolute and without compromise. Israel
expects the nations of the world to support it in its battle against the
murderers of students, women and children."

US Secy of State Condoleezza Rice: "The United States condemns tonight's act
of terror and depravity. This barbarous act has no place among civilized
peoples and shocks the conscience of all peace loving nations. There is no
cause that could ever justify this action."

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a condemnation of the "savage
attack" and decried the "deliberate killing and injuring of civilians." The
Secretary-General said he was deeply concerned at the potential for
continued acts of violence and terrorism to undermine the political process.

The victims:
. Segev Pniel Avihail, 15, of Neve Daniel
. Neria Cohen, 15, of Jerusalem
. Yonatan Yitzhak Eldar, 16, of Shilo
. Yonadav Haim Hirshfeld, 19, of Kohav Hashahar
. Yohai Lifshitz, 18, of Jerusalem
. Doron Tronoh Maharata, 26, of Ashdod
. Avraham David Moses, 16, of Efrat
. Ro'i Rot, 18, of Elkana