The United States condemned on Friday the stabbing attack at a branch of the Rami Levy Supermarket in Sha’ar Binyamin in which Tuvia Yanai Weissman, an American citizen, was murdered.

In a statement, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Washington condemned the attack “in the strongest possible terms”.

“There is no justification for terrorism. This horrific incident again underscores the need for all sides to reject violence, and urgently take steps to restore calm, reduce tensions, and bring an immediate end to the violence,” said Toner.

“We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends, and stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance,” he added.

Weissman, a 21-year-old combat soldier of the Nahal Brigade, was murdered while shopping by knife-wielding 14-year-old Arab terrorists. He was critically wounded and succumbed to his injuries after being evacuated to Shaare Tzedek Hospital.

Security cameras at the Sha’ar Binyamin shopping center revealed the terrorists being stopped for questioning by a security guard at the entrance to the center. After roughly a minute-and-a-half of questioning they were let in – with the lethal knives hidden on their bodies.

Other footage revealed the two walking freely in the Rami Levy store for a full 20 minutes as they hunted for victims before attacking.

After stabbing their two victims, the terrorists were shot by two armed civilians in the store, and then brought in for treatment at Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital.

(Arutz Sheva’s North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Arutz Sheva articles, however, is Israeli time.)