MOSCOW, January 11 (RIA Novosti) - The Israeli embassy approached Russia's Foreign Ministry in the wake of the attack on a synagogue in Moscow Wednesday, demanding to ensure security for the local Jewish community, the embassy press secretary said.

"Events in Moscow have aroused grave concerns. Our embassy has approached the Russian Foreign Ministry, demanding to ensure the Jewish community's security and prevent anti-Semitic acts," Mikhail Brodsky said.

He said Israel's Foreign Ministry had instructed the ambassador in Moscow to obtain full information on the attack.

20-year old Muscovite Alexander Koptsev rushed into a synagogue in central Moscow at about 5.30 p.m. Moscow time (2.30 p.m. GMT) and stabbed eight people, Moscow Prosecutor Anatoly Zuyev said.

The attacker was arrested and is being questioned at a police office, according to the prosecutor.

Four people, including the synagogue's Rabbi, are in a serious condition in hospital, the NTV television channel reported.