Federica Mogherini, European Union (EU) High Representative, issued a personal statement on Wednesday’s terror attack in Jerusalem. 

The car terror attack occurred early Wednesday afternoon. The terrorist, Ibrahim al-Akari, drove his vehicle into a crowd of pedestrians at the Shimon Hatzadik light rail station, located just north of the Old City and not far from the Municipality building.

Al-Akari continued driving, hitting cars and people along the way, before being stopped at an intersection by police forces. The violence did not end there, however, as upon exiting his vehicle he began to beat bystanders and officers with a metal crowbar.

Security forces shot and killed him after he did not respond to orders to stop. 

The attack resulted in the death of Border Patrol officer, Jedan Assad, 38, who left behind a 3-year-old son and a 5-month pregnant wife. Approximately 13 other individuals were injured in the attack, some quite severely. 

In her statement, Mogherini expressed concern for the victims and called for continued work toward a peace agreement. 

“Today’s terroristic attack in East Jerusalem is another painful evidence of the need to undertake serious efforts towards a sustainable peace agreement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We express our heartfelt condolences to the victim’s family.

Reiterating a common US and EU request to practice restraint, Mogherini continued, “I expect all parties to act responsibly and show restraint, to not further inflame the already very tense situation. This is the only way to defeat the enemies of peace and guaranteeing security to all.”

United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, also addressed the tension in his condemnation following the attack: “That is not just a terrorist act and an … atrocity, but it only makes matters worse. It only raises tensions.”