Police Thwart Terror Attack Near Jerusalem's Old City

Three terrorists slipped into Jerusalem from the West Bank and killed one police officer and wounded another as they carried out a terror attack near the Old City. It's the latest attack in a current wave of Palestinian terror.

The attack happened during a routine check by Jerusalem police. One policewoman was killed and another wounded when they confronted the terrorists.   
 
"Our police officers, in fact, spotted the suspicious individuals, approached them, and only then did they open fire at our officers," said Jerusalem police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld. "The three terrorists were shot and killed by a fast response from our police units. Heightened security is continuing in the different areas to prevent further terrorist attacks."

Rosenfeld added that the attack represented an escalation in these kinds of attacks.

"Over the past two and a half weeks, we've seen disturbances and we've seen attacks taking place including using explosive devices. This is something that is relatively new; something that we are now dealing with. But, the situation now here is under control.  We're talking about a terrorist attack where an immediate response by our officers prevented any people from being injured." 

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat praised the police action. 

"They approached the suspected terrorists and, indeed, face to face combat took place where, unfortunately, two of the security forces of Jerusalem were shot and knifed. However, very swift response neutralized the threat and the three terrorists were killed." 

A number of the terror attacks in the current wave of violence have taken place near the Damascus Gate, which is used by both Jews and Arabs to go in and out of Jerusalem's Old City. 

Barkat emphasized that Jerusalem still is a safer city than most. 

"We have the best police in the world, the best security forces and, per capita, we're as safe as London when you really check the numbers. Actually, when I fly to America, I pray to come back home safe here to Jerusalem,   because the crime rates in America are six times more per capita than in Jerusalem." 

The terrorist group Hamas praised the attack. Much of the violence is fueled by incitement from the Palestinian Authority that calls terrorists martyrs and claim they will inherit paradise through deadly attacks.