((Use dmy dates|date=October 2021))
((Short description|2008 school mass shooting in Jerusalem))
((pp-30-500|small=yes))
((Infobox terrorist attack
| title            = Mercaz HaRav Massacre
| image            = כניסה לספריה בישיבת מרכז הרב.jpg
| caption          = Memorial for the victims at the entrance to the library at Mercaz HaRav
| map              = ((location map|Israel jerusalem|caption=The attack site))
| location         = The [[Mercaz HaRav]] yeshiva at [[Kiryat Moshe]], [[West Jerusalem]]
| target           = <!--CITE the target otherwise its POV, OR and Synthesis-->
| date             = ((start date|2008|3|6|df=y))
| time-begin       = 8:36 pm<ref name="Israel10">
((cite web
 |url=http://news.nana10.co.il/Article/?ArticleID=542247&sid=126 
 |title=Twenty minutes of fire until terrorist killed 
 |publisher=Nana 10 
 |access-date=9 March 2008 |language=he 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313071722/http://news.nana10.co.il/Article/?ArticleID=542247&sid=126 
 |archive-date=13 March 2008 ))</ref>
| coordinates      = ((coord|31|47|16|N|35|11|49|E|display=inline,title))
| time-end         = 8:56 pm
| timezone         = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]+2
| type             = [[Mass shooting]], [[massacre]], [[school shooting]]
| fatalities       = 9 (including the assailant)<ref name="Jpost2">
((cite web
 |url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1204546422275&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull 
 |title=Mercaz Harav hit by worst terror attack since April 2006 
 |work=The Jerusalem Post 
 |access-date=7 March 2008 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717231950/http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1204546422275&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull 
 |archive-date=17 July 2011 ))</ref>
| injuries         = 11<ref name="Jpost2"/>
| perp             = 
| assailant        = 1 (Alaa Abu Dheim)<ref>((cite web|url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1204546426120&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull |title=Terrorist was a driver for the Yeshiva |work=The Jerusalem Post |access-date=7 March 2008 ))((dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes ))</ref>
| weapon           = [[AK-47]]
| weapons          = 
| numpart          = 
| dfens            = Yitzhak Dadon and David Shapira
))

On 6 March 2008, a lone [[Palestinian people|Palestinian]] gunman [[mass shooting|shot multiple students]] at the [[Mercaz HaRav]] [[yeshiva]], a religious school in [[West Jerusalem]]. Eight students and the assailant were killed. Eleven more were wounded, five of them placed in serious to critical condition.<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7282269.stm Eight killed at Jerusalem school] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309202319/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7282269.stm |date=9 March 2008 ))", BBC News, 6 March 2008</ref><ref>[http://www.nationalterroralert.com/updates/2008/03/06/terror-attack-at-jerusalem-seminary-merkaz-harav-yeshiva-8-dead "Terror Attack At Jerusalem Seminary – Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva"; 8 Dead] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927101745/http://www.nationalterroralert.com/updates/2008/03/06/terror-attack-at-jerusalem-seminary-merkaz-harav-yeshiva-8-dead/ |date=27 September 2011 )), NationalTerrorAlert.com, 6 March 2008.</ref><ref>[http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/03/06/jerusalem_seminary_attacked/8267/ Jerusalem seminary attacked] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308201142/http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/03/06/jerusalem_seminary_attacked/8267/ |date=8 March 2008 )), UPI.com, 6 March 2008.</ref>

The attack began at 8:30 p.m. local time and ended sixteen minutes later. The attacker was stopped by long-time Mercaz HaRav student Yitzhak Dadon and off-duty [[Israel Defense Forces]] Captain David Shapira, who killed the perpetrator with their personal firearms.<ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1066542.html One year on, horror of yeshiva terror attack still fresh] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417080545/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1066542.html |date=17 April 2009 )) Haaretz, 24 February 2009</ref>

The attack itself was praised by [[Hamas]] and, according to a subsequent poll, was supported by 84 percent of the Palestinian population, the highest result showing support for violence in 15 years, which the pollster concluded was the result of recent actions by Israel in Gaza and the West Bank.<ref name=nyt20080319/><ref>((cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Poll-84-percent-of-Palestinians-back-yeshiva-attack|title=Poll: 84% of Palestinians back yeshiva attack|date=19 March 2008|work=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=18 March 2011))</ref> It was condemned in official statements by various countries around the world.

==The shooting==
The attacker, Alaa Abu Dheim, age 26, from the [[Arab]] neighborhood of [[Jabel Mukaber]] in [[East Jerusalem]], who, according to his family, worked as a driver for a private company that made deliveries to the [[yeshiva]],<ref name=Kershner>((cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/08/world/middleeast/08mideast.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin|title=8 Burials for Jerusalem Seminary's Dead|work=The New York Times|first=Isabel|last=Kershner|author2=Steven Erlanger|date=8 March 2008))</ref> entered the building carrying a box concealing an [[AKM]] along with several [[Magazine (firearms)|magazines]], later firing as many as 500–600 rounds.<ref>((cite news |title=8 murdered by terrorist in J'lem|url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel/8-murdered-by-terrorist-in-Jlem |work=[[The Jerusalem Post]]|location=Jerusalem|date=6 March 2008))</ref>

Dheim entered the courtyard of the yeshiva at the main entrance, put down the box and took out the weapon, and opened fire on a group of students from the [[Yashlatz]] yeshiva high school and Mercaz HaRav who were standing at the entrance, killing three of them. He then went into the yeshiva library and fired at the students there, killing five and wounding nine, three of them seriously. Seventeen students managed to escape into an adjacent classroom and blocked the door with a heavy table.

Ten minutes after the shooting began, two police officers, one male and one female, arrived on the scene. The policewoman stopped a nearby passenger bus and prevented it from approaching, while the policeman entered the courtyard with a rifle. Dheim noticed him through the glass door of the yeshiva library and shot at him, but the officer, not knowing the precise source of the fire and afraid of harming innocents, did not return the fire and took cover. Immediately after the police arrived, Captain David Shapira, a graduate of the yeshiva and an officer in the [[Israel Defense Forces]] who lived nearby but was not on duty at the time, arrived at the scene with his M-16 rifle, while Yitzhak Dadon, a yeshiva student who had a gun, positioned himself on the roof of a nearby building. The police officer in the courtyard warned Shapira not to enter, but Shapira ignored him, and entered the building near the library door and positioned himself in a nearby corridor. Sixteen minutes after the shooting began, Dheim emerged from the library, and Dadon and Shapira opened fire, killing him.<ref name=makor>((cite news |url=https://www.makorrishon.co.il/nrg/online/1/ART1/711/659.html |title='השוטר לא ירה אפילו כדור אחד על המחבל' |lang=Hebrew |trans-title=The policeman 'did not fire a single bullet at the terrorist' |date=19 March 2008 |first=Eric |last=Bender |website=makorrishon.co.il))</ref><ref>((cite news|last=Zino|first=Aviram|title=8 killed in Jerusalem terror attack|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3515985,00.html|work=Ynetnews|access-date=18 December 2012|date=7 March 2008))</ref>

===Timeline===
((more citations needed|section|date=March 2018))
[[File:Yeshivat Mercaz haRav.jpg|thumb|right|250px|One of the yeshiva buildings]]
* 8:30&nbsp;pm – Shooting begins.
* 8:36&nbsp;pm – First call received by a [[Magen David Adom]] operator from a yeshiva student inside the building requesting emergency services.
* 8:37&nbsp;pm – First ambulances dispatched.
* 8:40&nbsp;pm – The first police car arrives at the scene; officer does not enter.<ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/966056.html J'lem police chief: Cop on duty should've stopped yeshiva attacker] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201040408/http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/966056.html |date=1 February 2009 )) ''Haaretz'', 19 March 2008</ref>
* 8:41&nbsp;pm – First paramedic on site reports of one wounded.
* 8:42&nbsp;pm – Shapira enters the yeshiva.
* 8:45&nbsp;pm – Two detectives arrive on the scene.
* 8:46&nbsp;pm – Attacker killed.
* 8:51&nbsp;pm – 'A.R.A.N.' declared (multiple wounded event).
* 8:57&nbsp;pm – MADA operator reports 'end of shooting' and orders paramedics into yeshiva.<ref name="Israel10"/>

==Assailant==
[[File:Alaa Abu Dhein.jpg|thumb|130px|The assailant, Alaa Abu Dheim]]
The gunman, '''Alaa Abu Dheim''' (((lang-ar|علاء أبو دهيم)), ((lang-he|עלא אבו-דהיים))), a resident of Jerusalem, was, according to his family, a driver who delivered goods to the yeshiva;<ref>[http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/world/peace%20talks%20must%20go%20on%20says%20abbas/1728547 Gunman was seminary driver – police] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314133732/http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/world/peace%20talks%20must%20go%20on%20says%20abbas/1728547 |date=14 March 2008 )), Channel 4. Retrieved 19 November 2014.</ref> this was later denied by the head of the yeshiva. ((Clarify|date=November 2014)) ((citation needed|date=December 2012)) The gunman's family said he was an intensely religious [[Muslim]] but not a member of any militant group. ((citation needed|date=November 2014))

Abu Dheim, like other Arab residents of East Jerusalem who choose not to have Israeli citizenship, carried an Israeli identity card that granted him freedom of movement and travel throughout Israel.<ref>((cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/03/08/israel.school.massacre|publisher=CNN|title=Eight arrested in probe of Jewish seminary attack|date=8 March 2008|access-date=12 May 2010))</ref> On 5 January 2009, the Israeli High Court of Justice authorized the demolition of Abu Dheim's family home.<ref>((cite news|title=Demolition of Mercaz Harav terrorist's home authorized|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3650679,00.html|access-date=19 November 2014))</ref>

===Motive===
((see also|Operation Hot Winter))
Although Abu Dhaim left behind no statement describing his motive, his sister, Iman Abu Dhaim, told the [[Associated Press]] that he had been radicalized by the violence in [[Gaza Strip|Gaza]], where 126 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces from Wednesday through Monday,<ref name=Kershner/> in response to rocket fire from Palestinian terrorist groups based in Gaza.<ref>[https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88008096 "Attacks Mar Israeli-Palestinian Talks"] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119042109/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88008096 |date=19 November 2018 )), NPR. Retrieved 19 November 2014.</ref><ref>[http://www.nbcnews.com/id/23515835 "Israel signals that it will continue peace talks despite attack"] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923004632/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/23515835 |date=23 September 2016 )), NBC News. Retrieved 19 November 2014.</ref>

According to journalist [[Ian Black (journalist)|Ian Black]], the attack seemed intended to send the message that Israeli attacks on its enemies, either in Gaza, [[Lebanon]] or [[Syria]] would not go unanswered. The seminary is identified with the spiritual leadership of the [[Israeli settlements|Jewish settlement movement]] in the West Bank, and especially with [[Gush Emunim]]. Jerusalem may have been chosen as there had been no attacks in the city during 2007.<ref>Black, Ian.[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/mar/07/israelandthepalestinians1 "A double act of revenge: carefully planned atrocity strikes at Israel's spiritual heart"] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118210010/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/mar/07/israelandthepalestinians1 |date=18 November 2018 )), ''The Guardian''. Retrieved 19 November 2014.</ref>

===Claims of responsibility===
[[Hezbollah]] television network [[Al-Manar]] reported that a group calling itself Galilee Liberators Brigades—the Martyrs of Imad Mughniyeh has claimed responsibility for the attack, raising the possibility that the shooting was in retaliation for the assassination of [[Imad Mughniyeh]]. Israel had previously denied responsibility for that assassination.<ref>((cite news|first=Jonathan|last=Lis |author2=Yair Ettinger |author3=Amos Harel|title=Eight killed in terrorist attack at Jerusalem yeshiva|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/961696.html|work=Haaretz|access-date=6 March 2008))</ref>

[[Hamas]] praised the attack on Thursday but did not claim responsibility for it. On Friday an anonymous phone call to the [[Reuters]] news agency took responsibility on Hamas's behalf. However, Fawzi Barhoum, a senior Hamas spokesman in Gaza, said that no claim was official unless made in a written statement signed by the military wing of Hamas.<ref name=Kershner/>

==Reaction==

===Israeli===
Prime Minister [[Ehud Olmert]] called the attack "horrible".<ref>Copans, Laurie. [https://web.archive.org/web/20080315014237/http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/03/08/ap4749391.html Israel Say Peace Talks to Continue]</ref> Olmert also said that the Mercaz Harav yeshiva had produced, "the finest soldiers for many generations; people who have realized the [[Zionist]] faith. This yeshiva—which was founded by Rabbi [[Abraham Isaac Kook]]—has educated and nurtured tradition and legacy, as part of Israel's resilience."<ref name=Vered>Vered, Luvitch. [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3516876,00.html "Education minister verbally attacked at Mercaz Harav yeshiva"] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125190549/https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3516876,00.html |date=25 November 2018 )), ''Ynetnews''. Retrieved 19 November 2014.</ref> A spokesman for Olmert said Israel would act after proper investigation and deliberation, and he condemned those, like Hamas, who celebrated the killings with parades in Gaza. "That Hamas calls this a heroic act, and praises it, this exposes them for what they are", the Olmert spokesman said.<ref name=Kershner/> However in their grief Olmert was not welcomed to visit the place of Torah learning. A yeshiva spokesperson told Ehud Olmert that he was not welcome at that time, saying it wanted to "save him and us the embarrassment."<ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/962317.html "Stricken J'lem yeshiva: PM not welcome to visit"] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101071517/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/962317.html |date=1 January 2009 )), ''Haaretz'', 10 March 2008.</ref>

[[Dalia Itzik]] of the ruling [[Kadima]] party, speaker of the [[Knesset]] and acting president while [[Shimon Peres]] is overseas, called for the demolition of the mourning tent for the killer and the demolition of his family's home.<ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/962839.html Knesset speaker calls for demolition of Jerusalem yeshiva terrorist's home] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113191138/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/962839.html |date=13 January 2010 )) ''[[Haaretz]]''. Retrieved 19 November 2014.</ref>

Thousands in Israel mourned the deaths of those killed, observing [[Bereavement in Judaism|Jewish traditions of mourning]], with the murdered victims buried on Friday.<ref>McCarthy, Ron.[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/mar/07/israelandthepalestinians3?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront "Murder victims buried"] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118205902/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/mar/07/israelandthepalestinians3?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront |date=18 November 2018 )). ''[[The Guardian]]'', 7 March 2008.</ref>

A [[Channel 1 (Israel)|Channel 1]] report that three alumni of the yeshiva were planning a revenge attack against a senior Arab official affiliated with a mosque on Jerusalem's [[Temple Mount]], allegedly with permission from several rabbis, was dismissed by Public Security Minister [[Avi Dichter]] and the [[Shin Bet]] as baseless following their investigation. [[National Religious Party]]'s MK [[Zevulun Orlev]] said he suspected the allegations were an attempt to "blemish [[religious Zionism]]."<ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/963518.html "Rightist rabbis urge Jews to avenge enemies 'measure for measure'"] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827022234/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/963518.html |date=27 August 2009 )), ''Haaretz'', 12 March 2008.</ref><ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/963261.html "Report: Yeshiva graduates plan revenge attack against Arab figure"] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628192332/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/963261.html |date=28 June 2009 )), ''Haaretz''. Retrieved 19 November 2014.</ref><ref>[http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1205420738286&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull Yeshiva students warned against Shin Bet agent]((dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes )), ''The Jerusalem Post''. Retrieved 19 November 2014.</ref>

Education Minister [[Yuli Tamir]], who made a condolence visit to the yeshiva two days after the shooting, left and later claimed '[I] was kicked in the back twice, spat at, and verbally attacked by dozens of youths outside building', they called me 'murderer' and they said that "the [[List of Arab members of the Knesset|Left]] is to blame for everything."<ref name= Sela>((cite news|title=Itzik: Destroy mourning' tent, home of Jerusalem terrorist|newspaper=Ynetnews|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3517507,00.html|date=10 March 2008|access-date=10 March 2008|last1=Sela|first1=Neta))</ref> She had said at the Yeshivah itself "This [hostility to the left as she saw it] reminded me of the days before (former Prime Minister Yitzhak) [[Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin|Rabin's murder]]. It's unfortunate that there is a public which cannot put limits from((sic)) itself. I only came to pay my respect to the murdered, not to engage in politics."<ref name=Vered/> The next morning [[Yuli Tamir]] threatened to cut off funding for the yeshiva, citing a lack of "democratic values".<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=38529|publisher=IMRA|date=10 March 2008|title=Yuli Tamir threatens to ultimately cut funding of Mercaz Harav))</ref>

The [[Israel Football Association]] called for a [[Moment of silence|minute's silence]] prior to the weekend's football matches, though it was marred in [[Sakhnin]] where some supporters of the Arab [[Bnei Sakhnin F.C.|Bnei Sakhnin team]] [[Booing|booed]]. Bnei Sakhnin F.C. spokesman Mundar Haleileh said his club honored the moment of silence, "but we don't have full control over all fans. The association made the decision, and perhaps mixing politics with soccer is a matter to be discussed."<ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/962037.html "Moment of silence marred in Sakhnin"] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008125440/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/962037.html |date=8 October 2008 )) ''Haaretz'', 10 March 2008.</ref>

On 17 March, hundreds of activists attacked Arab homes in the [[east Jerusalem]] neighborhood Jebl Mukaber in an attempt to raze the house of the family of the gunman. For three hours, the activists chanted "revenge, revenge", vandalized property of the Arab village (which the police tried to prevent), and clashed with the police, whom they accused of "guarding the murderers." Many of the protesters were part of the settler movement and carried signs with slogans such as "Expel the Arab Enemy" and "The Land of Israel for the Jewish People" while others shouted "kill the Arabs". Despite a heavy police blockade at the entrance to Jebl Mukaber and a massive deployment of security forces in the area, the marchers managed to enter the village, stone residents' homes and damage a couple of cars belonging to villagers. The police declared the demonstration illegal, and finally forced the protesters to leave.<ref>((cite news|first=Shelly |last=Paz |title=22 nabbed in right-wing Jebl Mukaber protest |url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1205420699147 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=16 March 2008 |access-date=3 April 2008 ))((dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes ))</ref>

At an event one month after the attack, former Sephardi Chief Rabbi [[Mordechai Eliyahu]] told some 1,000 attendants that in retribution for the massacre the government should establish a yeshiva or Jewish township for every one of the lives lost that evening. However, other National Religious voices were more moderate. In the same one-month commemoration event, the Chief Rabbi of Ramat Gan, Rabbi Yaacov Ariel, reminded his audience: 

((blockquote|We do not seek revenge, only retaliation ... we are against killing innocent people or harming children.<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3527410,00.html "Rabbi Eliyahu: Life of one yeshiva boy worth more than 1,000 Arabs"] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405075845/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3527410,00.html |date=5 April 2008 )), ''Ynetnews''. Retrieved 19 November 2014.</ref>))

The Israeli human rights group [[B'Tselem]] released a statement condemning the attack which read: "B'Tselem severely condemns the Palestinian terror attack that took place in a yeshiva (religious school) in Jerusalem, in which 8 Israeli civilians, including 4 minors were killed and many other persons were injured. Attacks aimed at civilians are immoral, inhuman, and illegal."<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.btselem.org/english/Israeli_Civilians/20080307.asp|publisher=B'Tselem|date=7 March 2008|title=8 Israeli civilian including 4 minors killed by Palestinians in Jerusalem))</ref>

===Palestinian===
[[Mahmoud Abbas]], [[President of the Palestinian National Authority]], stated "We condemn all attacks against civilians, be they Palestinian or Israeli."<ref name="AFP">((cite web|url=http://www.afp.com/english/news/stories/newsmlmmd.141bc65a0c3d7202766ea46f73a8a6aa.941.html |title=Eight teens killed in Jerusalem attack |agency=Agence France-Presse |access-date=6 March 2008 ))((dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes ))</ref>

===Supranational===
* ((Flagu|United Nations)): The [[United Nations Security Council]] failed to agree on a condemnation of the attack due to opposition from [[Libya]] which wanted to link the condemnation to a resolution calling for censure of Israel over its actions in Gaza the previous week.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.nasdaq.com/aspxcontent/NewsStory.aspx?cpath=20080306%5cACQDJON200803062101DOWJONESDJONLINE001186.htm&&mypage=newsheadlines&title=Libya%20Blocks%20UN%20Council%20Condemnation%20Of%20Jerusalem%20Attack%20-AFP|title=Libya Blocks UN Council Condemnation of Jerusalem Attack|date=6 March 2008|publisher=Nasdaq.com|access-date=8 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306040728/http://www.nasdaq.com/aspxcontent/NewsStory.aspx?cpath=20080306%5cACQDJON200803062101DOWJONESDJONLINE001186.htm&&mypage=newsheadlines&title=Libya%20Blocks%20UN%20Council%20Condemnation%20Of%20Jerusalem%20Attack%20-AFP|archive-date=6 March 2012|url-status=dead))</ref>

===International===
*((flagicon|OIC)) The [[Organisation of the Islamic Conference]] condemned the killings, saying it abhorred violence anywhere in the world.<ref>Mar'i, Mohammed. "[http://www.arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=107613&d=8&m=3&y=2008 Annan, Carter to Launch Mideast Peace Mission] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630003242/http://www.arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=107613&d=8&m=3&y=2008 |date=30 June 2016 ))", ArabNews.com, 8 March 2008. Retrieved 19 November 2014.</ref>
*((flagicon|Sweden)) Swedish [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Sweden)|Minister for Foreign Affairs]] [[Carl Bildt]], described the incident as "an unacceptable terrorist attack."<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.swedenabroad.com/News____11023.aspx?slaveid=72298 |title=Embassy of Sweden |publisher=swedenabroad.com |access-date=8 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314133709/http://www.swedenabroad.com/News____11023.aspx?slaveid=72298 |archive-date=14 March 2008 ))</ref>
*((flagicon|USA)) United States President [[George W. Bush]] condemned the attack, and expressed his solidarity with the families of the victims and the people of Israel.<ref>((cite web|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/03/20080306-5.html|title=President Bush Condemns Terrorist Attack in Israel|publisher=White House|access-date=7 March 2008))</ref> Secretary of State [[Condoleezza Rice]] expressed her condolences on the attack. She also wrote that "The United States condemns tonight's act of terror and depravity."<ref>((cite web|url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/secretary/rm/2008/03/101845.htm|title=Condolences on Attack against Rabbinical Students|date=6 March 2008|publisher=state.gov|access-date=7 March 2008))
</ref> United States Democratic presidential candidate Senator [[Barack Obama]] (IL) phoned Israeli foreign minister [[Tzipi Livni]] while she was visiting the US. Obama expressed his condolences to the Israeli people and to the bereaved families in the wake of the terror attack in the Mercaz Harav Yeshiva. He also stressed Israel's right to defend itself and made it clear that both the US and Israel were interested in ensuring that Iran will not be acquiring nuclear weapons.<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3517989,00.html Obama calls Livni, back's Israel's right for self-defense] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116122345/https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3517989,00.html |date=16 November 2018 )), ''Ynetnews''. Retrieved 19 November 2014.</ref><ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/963286.html Livni, in U.S., speaks to Obama by phone, pressing Iran issue] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080520111132/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/963286.html/ |date=20 May 2008 )), ''Haaretz''. Retrieved 19 November 2014.</ref> United States Senator [[Hillary Clinton]] (D-NY), at the time a leading presidential candidate, said "My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and families who are suffering the loss and horror of this despicable act of terrorism. The United States and the international community must make clear that such deplorable acts of terrorism will not be tolerated and we must continue to stand with Israel in its fight against terror."<ref>[http://clinton.senate.gov/news/statements/details.cfm?id=294384&& Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator for New York: Statement of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on Terrorist Attack in Jerusalem] ((webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314114737/http://clinton.senate.gov/news/statements/details.cfm?id=294384&& |date=14 March 2008 )), clinton.senate.gov. Retrieved 19 November 2014.</ref>
*((flagicon|Argentina)) [[Argentina]]'s [[Foreign Ministry]] said: "Argentina's Government expresses our deep concern at the escalation of tensions and violence in the region and condemns the attack [...]" "Argentina urges for the cessation of violence ... this way will allow the negotiation process for a fair, global and durable peace"<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/exterior/nota.asp?nota_id=993585|title=El Gobierno condenó el atentado en Jerusalén|publisher=lanacion.com.ar|access-date=7 March 2008|language=es|archive-date=14 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314152102/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/exterior/nota.asp?nota_id=993585|url-status=dead))</ref>
*((flagicon|Canada)) Canada's [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Canada)|Minister of Foreign Affairs]] [[Maxime Bernier]] stated that "Canada condemns this terrorist act in the strongest possible terms. <nowiki>The attack</nowiki> does nothing to advance the Palestinian cause."<ref>((cite web|url=http://w01.international.gc.ca/MinPub/Publication.aspx?isRedirect=True&Language=E&publication_id=385917&docnumber=52 |title=Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada |publisher=w01.international.gc.ca |access-date=8 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316140751/http://w01.international.gc.ca/minpub/Publication.aspx?isRedirect=True&publication_id=385917&language=E&docnumber=52 |archive-date=16 March 2008 ))</ref>
*((flagicon|China)) Chinese [[Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China|Foreign Ministry Spokesperson]] [[Qin Gang]] condemned the attack and expressed hope for the lessening of tensions in the Middle East.<ref>((cite web
 |url=http://www.chinaembassy.org.il/eng/fyrth/t412855.htm 
 |title=Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang's Remarks on the Attack at a Jewish School in Jerusalem 
 |publisher=chinaembassy.org.il 
 |access-date=7 March 2008 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314125904/http://www.chinaembassy.org.il/eng/fyrth/t412855.htm 
 |archive-date=14 March 2008 ))
</ref>
*((flagicon|Slovenia)) [[Slovenia]], which held the [[Presidency of the Council of the European Union]], issued a statement condemning the attack, and stating that "terrorist acts are unacceptable."<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.delisr.ec.europa.eu/English/whatsnew.asp?id=972|title=EU Presidency condemns Jerusalem terror attack|publisher=European Commission|access-date=8 March 2008))</ref>
*((flagicon|France)) France's [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (France)|Minister of Foreign Affairs]] [[Bernard Kouchner]] condemned the attack, and called for peace talks to continue despite the attack.<ref>((cite web
 |url=http://194.90.243.96/spip.php?article5118 
 |title=Attentat contre une école talmudique à Jérusalem – Mon site SPIP 
 |publisher=194.90.243.96 
 |access-date=8 March 2008 |language=fr 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314115505/http://194.90.243.96/spip.php?article5118 
 |archive-date=14 March 2008 ))
</ref>
*((flagicon|Germany)) Germany's [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Germany)|Minister of Foreign Affairs]] [[Frank-Walter Steinmeier]] said that the attack horrified him, and expressed his sympathy to the families.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.tel-aviv.diplo.de/Vertretung/telaviv/de/Startseite.html|title=- Startseite|publisher=tel-aviv.diplo.de|access-date=8 March 2008|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080310073555/http://www.tel-aviv.diplo.de/Vertretung/telaviv/de/Startseite.html|archive-date=10 March 2008|url-status=dead))
</ref><ref>((cite web|url=http://www.tel-aviv.diplo.de/Vertretung/telaviv/he/Startseite.html|title=- עמוד פתיחה|publisher=tel-aviv.diplo.de|access-date=8 March 2008|language=he|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306142632/http://www.tel-aviv.diplo.de/Vertretung/telaviv/he/Startseite.html|archive-date=6 March 2008|url-status=dead))</ref>
*((flagicon|Georgia)) The [[Georgia (country)|Georgian]] [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] strongly condemned the attack, and expressed its profound condolences to the families.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.mfa.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=461&info_id=6076 |title=Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Of Georgia |publisher=mfa.gov.ge |access-date=8 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080813153302/http://www.mfa.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=461&info_id=6076 |archive-date=13 August 2008 ))</ref>
*((flagicon|India)) The Indian [[Ministry for External Affairs]] condemned "the mindless terrorist attack" in which "eight young innocent Israeli lives were lost" and called for dialogue to end the "current cycle of violence".<ref>((cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-03-09/india/27749753_1_terrorist-attack-seminary-mea-statement|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020042639/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-03-09/india/27749753_1_terrorist-attack-seminary-mea-statement|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 October 2012|title=India condemns attack on Israel seminary|work=[[The Times of India]]
|access-date=2 April 2008|date=9 March 2008))</ref>
*((flagicon|Ireland)) Ireland's Foreign Minister [[Dermot Ahern]] "strongly condemned the terrorist attack" and urged "all parties to end the spiral of violence."<ref>((cite web|url=http://dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=43527|title=Department of Foreign Affairs – Minister Ahern condemns killing of Israeli religious students in Jerusalem|publisher=dfa.ie|access-date=7 March 2008))</ref>
*((flagicon|Japan)) [[Masahiko Kōmura]], the Japanese [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Japan)|Minister for Foreign Affairs]], said that "Japan expresses its condolences to the bereaved families as well as deepest sympathy for the people who were injured. Terrorism cannot be justified for any reason, and any attempt to justify it is unacceptable."<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2008/3/1178471_990.html|title=MOFA: Statement by Foreign Minister Koumura on the terrorist shooting attack in Jerusalem|publisher=mofa.go.jp|access-date=8 March 2008))</ref>
*((flagicon|Jordan)) Jordanian police dismantled a mourning tent erected outside the home of relatives of the shooter.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.jta.org/cgi-bin/iowa/breaking/107408.html|title=JTA, Jewish & Israel News|publisher=jta.org|access-date=8 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314181424/http://www.jta.org/cgi-bin/iowa/breaking/107408.html|archive-date=14 March 2008))</ref><ref>((cite web|url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1204546430941&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull |title=Jordan stops public mourning of gunman |work=The Jerusalem Post |access-date=8 March 2008 ))((dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes ))</ref>
*((flagicon|Norway)) [[Norway]]'s [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Norway)|Minister of Foreign Affairs]] [[Jonas Gahr Støre]] condemned the attack and expressed his sympathies to the families.<ref>((cite web
|url=http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/ud/press/News/2008/jerusalem_attack.html?id=503073|title=Norway condemns terrorist attack in Jerusalem |date=7 March 2008 |publisher=regjeringen.no|access-date=8 March 2008))</ref>
*((flagicon|UK)) British Prime Minister [[Gordon Brown]] condemned the attack, saying that it was "an attempt to strike a blow at the very heart of the peace process."<ref>((cite web
 |url=http://www.britemb.org.il/News/2008/Brown070308.htm 
 |title=British Embassy Tel Aviv, News: PM Brown condemns Jerusalem terror attack 
 |publisher=britemb.org.il 
 |access-date=8 March 2008 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315022230/http://www.britemb.org.il/News/2008/Brown070308.htm 
 |archive-date=15 March 2008 ))
</ref> [[Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs]] [[David Miliband]] condemned the attack and expressed his hope for a peaceful Middle East.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391638&a=KArticle&aid=1203948577072 |title=Press Releases Foreign & Commonwealth Office |publisher=fco.gov.uk |access-date=7 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090308120751/http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket%2FXcelerate%2FShowPage |archive-date=8 March 2009 ))</ref>

==Praise for the attack==
The [[Palestinian National Authority]] daily newspaper, ''[[Al-Hayat al-Jadida]]'', honored the shooter as a "martyr". The paper prominently placed a picture of the gunman on the front page, with the caption, "The Martyr Alaa Abu Dheim". In a front-page article on the killings, his act was again defined as a "martyrdom-achieving" action. [[Hamas]] spokesman [[Sami Abu Zuhri]] stated that "This heroic attack in Jerusalem is a normal response to the crimes of the occupier and its murder of civilians".<ref>((cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Gunman_kills_8_in_Jerusalem_school/articleshow/2843918.cms|title=8 shot at Jerusalem school|work=The Times of India|access-date=7 March 2008|date=7 March 2008))</ref>

In a poll taken two weeks later by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, 84 percent of Palestinians supported the attack on the Mercaz Harav yeshiva. The pollster, Mr. Shikaki was "shocked" and said the result was the single highest support for an act of violence in his 15 years of polling. According to ''The New York Times'', the pollster posited in his own words that recent Israeli actions had "led to despair and rage among average Palestinians who thirst for revenge", including the death of 130 people as a result of attacks on Gaza, the killing of four militants in an undercover operation in Bethlehem and plans to expand several Israeli settlements in the West Bank.<ref name=nyt20080319>((cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/19/world/middleeast/19mideast.html|work=The New York Times|title=Poll Shows Most Palestinians Favor Violence Over Talks|first=Ethan|last=Bronner|date=19 March 2008|access-date=12 May 2010))</ref>

According to ''[[The Jerusalem Post]]'', in March 2008, [[Abdel Bari Atwan]], editor-in-chief of Arab language newspapers, as well as a London based Pan-Arab paper, said the murder of 15-year-old students "was justified" and that the celebrations in Gaza following the murders symbolized "the courage of the Palestinian nation" and "marks Israel's destruction."<ref name=paul8>((cite news|last=Paul|first=Jonny|title=Arab daily: Mercaz Harav attack was justified|url=http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=95074|access-date=10 November 2012|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|date=15 March 2008|location=London))</ref> Conversely in his English language appearances on BBC Dateline and Dutch television, and in his book he stated "We have to learn to live together in peace and co-operation in a multi-cultural society in one democratic secular state for two people. One state for both peoples governed by a representative democracy and on an equal footing. We manage it here in London, it is working in South Africa, and there is enough room for everyone in Palestine. I respect the Jewish people and their religion. I do not want to destroy Israel but I do want to end racism and the current Apartheid system."<ref>A Country of Words, p. 280. Saqi Books, London, 2008; ((ISBN|978-0-86356-621-9)).</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of school-related attacks]]
* [[Ma'alot massacre]]
* [[Hebrew University bombing]]
* [[Avivim school bus bombing]]
* [[Jerusalem bulldozer attack]]
* [[Jerusalem BMW attack]]
* [[2014 Jerusalem synagogue attack]]

==References==
((Reflist|30em))

==External links==
* [https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL07359144 "Gunman kills 8 in Jerusalem Jewish college"], reuters.com, 7 March 2008.
* [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/06/world/middleeast/06cnd-mideast.html "Gunman Kills 8 in Attack on School in Jerusalem"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', 6 March 2008.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080307035244/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1720222,00.html Death Comes for Israel's Seminarians] – published on TIME on 6 March 2008
* [http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Terrorism-+Obstacle+to+Peace/Palestinian+terror+since+2000/Terror+shooting+at+Mercaz+Harav+Yeshiva+in+Jerusalem+6-Mar-2008.htm Terror shooting at Mercaz Harav Kook Yeshiva in Jerusalem], mfa.gov.il, 6 March 2008.

((Terrorist attacks against Israelis in the 2000s))
((Palestinian militancy attacks in the 2000s))
((Israeli-Palestinian Conflict))

((DEFAULTSORT:Mercaz Harav Massacre))
[[Category:Abraham Isaac Kook]]
[[Category:Islamic terrorist incidents in 2008]]
[[Category:Massacres in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict]]
[[Category:School massacres in Asia]]
[[Category:Child murder in Israel]]
[[Category:Massacres in 2008]]
[[Category:Terrorist attacks attributed to Palestinian militant groups]]
[[Category:2008 in Jerusalem]]
[[Category:21st-century attacks on synagogues and Jewish communal organizations]]
[[Category:March 2008 events in Asia]]
[[Category:2008 mass shootings in Asia]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in Jerusalem in the 2000s]]