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Israeli PM vows to escalate fight against "Palestinian terrorism"

Xinhua, March 9, 2016 Adjust font size:

Netanyahu pledged Wednesday to intensify Israel's struggle against "Palestinian terrorism," as a visit by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden coincided with a surge of stabbing and shooting attacks.

The decision on the new measures was taken in an overnight consultation with Israel's top security officials, a few hours after a Palestinian stabbed to death a U.S. tourist and wounded 11 others in Jaffa, outside Tel Aviv. The assailant was shot and killed by the police.

There were, at least, eight more attacks and attempted attacks over the past two days, which saw the death of at least seven Palestinian assailants, according to Israeli security forces. Also, a 50-year-old Israeli man was critically injured as policemen shot at two Palestinian gunmen in Jerusalem. Israeli fire may have injured him, police said.

According to a statement by the Ministry of Defense, Israel will "immediately" start to seal holes in the Separation Wall in Jerusalem, and to complete an unfinished section of the wall in the town of Tarqumiyah, northwest of Hebron.

The panel also decided on a "wide scale" revocation of work permits for Palestinians, which enable them to work in Israel. Additionally, a new law will impose higher penalties to those who assisted them in all manners, including driving illegal Palestinian workers to Israel.

"We have taken many steps in recent months to fight Palestinian terrorism, and we're taking even stronger measures now," Netanyahu told journalists after his meeting with Biden.

Biden arrived on Tuesday for talks over a 10-year multi-billion dollar military aid package to Israel. The last military deal, signed in 2007, provided Israel with about 30 billion dollars by 2017.

The attacks came after a six-month long Palestinian upsurge, with almost daily stabbing, shooting, and car-ramming attacks. It claimed the lives of at least 175 Palestinians and 28 Israelis, and shows no sign of abating.

Israel has been accusing the Palestinian Authority of fueling the violence with "incitement" against Israel while the Palestinians say it is the result of 49 years of Israeli occupation of their lands. Endit