Islamic organisation condemns Jerusalem attack

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (ANTARA News/AFP) - The Islamic world`s biggest political bloc on Friday condemned the killing of eight Israeli teenagers in a Jerusalem religious school, saying it abhorred "violence and terror."

In a rare reaction to an anti-Israeli attack, the 57-member Organisation of the Islamic Conference expressed "grave concern over, and condemned the recent killings of students in the west Jerusalem," a statement released here said.

OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu also "reiterated the position of the OIC against any act of violence and terror anywhere in the world," the statement added.

The OIC includes Iran, which is steadfastly hostile to Israel.

But Ihsanoglu said he hoped "that this condemnation of the OIC would open up the eyes of those who remained silent during the violence directed against innocent civilians, including children of Palestine."

"This vicious cycle of killing must be stopped," the statement said.

He urged "all parties concerned to act with calm and restraint in the face of this tragic event."

Eight students, most aged 15 and 16, were shot dead late Thursday at the Merkaz Harav Yeshiva, a theological school in predominantly Jewish west Jerusalem. Another nine were wounded.

The gunman, a Palestinian from east Jerusalem, was shot dead by police.(*)