The United States on Friday strongly condemned a deadly attack on a synagogue in east Jerusalem and voiced solidarity with Israel ahead of a visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
“This is absolutely horrific,” State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters.
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“We condemn this apparent terrorist attack in the strongest terms. Our commitment to Israel’s security remains ironclad, and we are in direct touch with our Israeli partners.”
President Joe Biden’s national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, said in a tweet that he offered his condolences and the administration’s “full support” to Israel in a call with his counterpart Tzachi Hanegbi.
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Biden has asked his national security team to “offer all appropriate support in assisting the wounded and bringing the perpetrators of this horrible crime to justice,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
Patel said there would be no change in the travel plans of Blinken, who plans to meet with the leaders of Israel, the Palestinian Authority as well as Egypt starting Sunday.
Blinken will discuss “steps to be taken to de-escalate tensions,” Patel said.