Briton shot after attempted stabbing at Jerusalem Shrine

24/4/2010

(AFP)

JERUSALEM — An Israeli policeman shot and seriously wounded a British tourist after he drew a knife on officers and priests at Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre, police said on Saturday.

“The man in his 40s was seriously wounded by shots from a policeman on Friday evening after he attempted to stab priests and police,” spokesman Shmulik Ben Rubi said.

Police did not give the suspect’s name but said he had bought the knife in a street market in Jerusalem’s Old City.

No motive was given for the attack.

A police statement said the officer had opened fire “as set out in the instructions to the forces of order in the case of aggression.”

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is believed by most churches to be on the site where Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected.

It is jointly administered by several churches, principally the Armenians, Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholics.

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