At least eight people have been killed and many more wounded when a gunman opened fire in Merkaz Harav, a Jewish seminary. The UN Security Council called an emergency session but failed to agree the wording of statement denouncing the attack.

Witnesses say the attacker went into the dining hall, where some 80 people gathered, and opened fire.

The assailant, who Israeli police said was a resident of East Jerusalem, was shot dead by an Israeli army officer.

Russia's ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin says it was a clear-cut act of terrorism intended to unleash bloodshed in the Middle East.

“From any standpoint, from the standpoint of a clear-cut act of individual terrorism specifically targeted against civilians and the cruelty and absurdity of it all, to say nothing of the political motivation, which was clearly and obviously not just to inflict violence but to cause more violence, this is a despicable act which deserves condemnation,” Churkin said.