CJP is deeply saddened by today's terror attack in Jerusalem, in which two Israeli police officers, Haiel Sitawe, 30, and Kamil Shnaan, 22, were murdered by terrorists, and a third officer was injured.

The attackers, three Arab Israelis, opened fire at a group of Israeli officers standing just outside the Temple Mount compound near the Lions' Gate. The terrorists then fled toward the Temple Mount and officers gave chase, opening fire and killing the perpetrators inside the complex. 

Following the attack, Israeli police ordered the Temple Mount cleared and the entrances to the holy site closed. 

Both Hamas and the Islamic Jihad terror group have praised this morning’s attack on Israelis.

Haiel Sitawe

Kamil Shnaan

The murdered officers came from Druze villages in northern Israel, where a significant number of Druze have proudly served in the Israeli police and IDF.

Sitawe leaves behind an infant son, his wife, parents and three brothers. Shnaan was the youngest son of former Knesset member Shachiv Shnaan and was planning to celebrate his engagement to his fiancé next week. 

We mourn with the families of the fallen and pray for the recovery of the injured officer. We stand with our brothers and sisters in Israel, and urge the international community to immediately and unequivocally condemn this act of terrorism.