On a day declared by Palestinians as the “Day of Rage,” at least three people were killed and several others were wounded by Palestinian men. The attacks occurred in Jerusalem and near Tel Aviv earlier on Tuesday.
The unrest of Palestinians in Israel is continuing to grow and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting of his cabinet to determine what police should do in the situation. Officials said that Israel was seriously considering whether to seal off Eastern Jerusalem Palestinian districts from the rest of the city.
Unlike Palestinians located in the West Bank, East Jerusalem Palestinians are allowed to travel freely throughout Israel.
The Israeli army has been on constant alert, fighting and deterring Palestinian aggressors.
So far, seven Israelis and 29 Palestinians, including eight children, have been killed in the recent surge of violence. The Obama administration voiced its concern and State Department spokesman John Kirby stated that, “The United States condemns in the strongest terms today’s terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens.” He added that the U.S. urges both sides “to prevent actions that would further escalate tensions.”
Adding to Palestinian unrest is the fact that a growing number of Jews are visiting the al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, one of Islam’s holiest sites in the world. The ancient relic also houses two sacred Jewish temples. The conflict never ends.
In response to the unrest over al-Aqsa, Netanyahu has said that Israel will continue to ban non-Muslim prayer at the site but that Jews are still allowed to visit.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas disavows the current violence but also calls for al-Aqsa to be “defended” from Israel. His administration has also spread on social media allegations that some Palestinians killed by Israeli police were executed.
Netanyahu demanded that Abbas “Stop lying. Stop inciting. If the situation deteriorates as a result of this incitement . . . you will bear responsibility.”
In the meantime, Israel’s Jews remain afraid. Avi Shemesh, a witness to the one attack, told reporters that, “We don’t know what to do, or where to walk. They are Israel-haters and they need to be eliminated.”
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