Emotional vigil for victims of US attack

Israel's cabinet, the Palestinian Authority mourn 'act of terrorism' in synagogue

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania - Mourners held an emotional vigil on Sunday for victims of a fatal shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue, an assault that saw a gunman who said he "wanted all Jews to die" open fire on a mostly elderly group.

The public had earlier learned the identities of the 11 people killed in the brutal assault at the Tree of Life synagogue, including 97-year-old Rose Mallinger and couple Sylvan and Bernice Simon, both in their 80s. Nine of the victims were 65 or older.

The auditorium of downtown Pittsburgh's Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum was packed for the 90-minute vigil, which began with music from an African-American choir.

Speakers said thousands more had gathered in the cold rain outside, listening in via loudspeaker.

Similar events took place nationwide, with words of solace pouring in from the US Jewish community - the largest outside Israel - as well as European leaders.

Israel's cabinet stood for a moment's silence on Sunday to honor the 11 victims.

The Palestinian Authority's Foreign Ministry also issued a statement describing the shooting as an "act of terrorism that targeted a synagogue ... in which American Jews and policemen were killed".

US Federal officials said on Sunday that 46-year-old suspect Robert Bowers - arrested at the synagogue after a firefight with police - faces 29 federal charges, many carrying the death penalty. He has been hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds but will appear before a federal magistrate on Monday.

The assault on the 150-year-old congregation was the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in recent US history.

Squirrel Hill, the close-knit neighborhood and heart of Pittsburgh's Jewish community where the shooting occurred, was in shock.

"Heartbroken," said Aylia Paulding, 37, her voice breaking as she summed up the mood.

Authorities said the gunman burst into the building early on Saturday and opened fire with an AR-15 rifle and two Glock handguns in a 20-minute rampage.

President Donald Trump on Saturday denounced the attack, saying: "The scourge of antisemitism cannot be ignored, cannot be tolerated and cannot be allowed to continue."

But on Sunday, he blamed the media for stoking tensions: "The Fake News is doing everything in their power to blame Republicans, Conservatives and me for the division and hatred that has been going on for so long in our country.

"Actually, it is their Fake & Dishonest reporting which is causing problems far greater than they understand!" he said.

He earlier said one answer to apparent hate crimes was to provide guards at places of worship, not to tighten gun laws.

However, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto told journalists: "The approach that we need to be looking at is how we take the guns, which is the common denominator of every mass shooting in America, out of the hands of those that are looking to express hatred through murder."

AP - AFP

(China Daily 10/30/2018 page12)