The front of Oslo’s synagogue was sprayed with bullets on Sunday 17 Sept. No one was injured. Police said more than 10 shots were fired, probably from an automatic weapon, at the synagogue’s faade early Sunday morning.
Bullet holes were clearly visible in the walls of the synagogue after the attack, which was deplored by Joav Melchior, who’s only been rabbi in Oslo for a month.
On Tuesday 19 Sept four men of mixed origins were arrested in connection with the attack.
Despite being a small community, of around one thousand, the shool has heavy security when services are held. Newcomers are only permitted entrance if they show formal identification and armed police patrol the street.
Sunday’s shooting came less than a week after an Italian based Al Qaida plot targeting the site was uncovered.
The Bishop of Oslo, Ole Christian Kvarme, visited the synagogue on Monday along with Justice Minister Knut Storberget, who promised immediate security improvements at the synagogue at state expense.
An unattributed Muslim organisation in Oslo also told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) on Tuesday that they had sent a letter of sympathy and support to the DMT, claiming they are all minorities in Norway and also should stand together.

Thanks to Lisa Goldman for drawing my attention to these pictures of Beirut’s synagogue. More photos can be seen on this blog