By: VOA News
Source: VOA News
Israeli police reported more stabbing attacks Tuesday that left at least two civilians dead.
Authorities said one attack involved two people shooting and stabbing passengers on a bus in Jerusalem, killing one of them and wounding at least four others. The Israeli Defense Forces said both attackers were “shot on site.”
In another part of Jerusalem, a man crashed a car into people at a bus stop, then got out of the vehicle and started stabbing pedestrians. One person there died and several were injured. That attacker was also shot.
A third attack took place in Raanana, just north or Tel Aviv, where authorities said an assailant stabbed a civilian at a bus stop before being subdued by others nearby and detained by police.
At least seven Israelis have been killed and about 25 others wounded in a series of stabbings and other attacks by Palestinians during the past two weeks. Twenty-five Palestinians have been killed, mostly by Israeli police responding to the attacks and by soldiers firing at Palestinian protesters throwing rocks and firebombs.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an address to parliament on Monday that Israel will overcome “knife terror.”
He blamed Hamas, the Palestinian National Authority, and a group called the Islamic Movement for inciting violence and spreading what he called “lies” that Israel is planning to completely take over an east Jerusalem holy site revered by both Muslims and Jews.
He also appealed to Israel’s Arab citizens to turn their backs on violence and choose coexistence.
But the prime minister reserved his harshest comments for an Israeli Arab member of parliament, Haneen Zoabi, who called for a full Palestinian uprising. Netanyahu said Zoabi must face a criminal investigation for advocating mass terrorism against Israelis. He said she is unworthy of being a member of the Knesset.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas blamed the wave of violence on “acts of aggression” by Israeli settlers.
The Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour appealed to the Security Council on Monday to take “real action” to bring calm and demand Israel immediately stop “aggressions” against Palestinian civilians.
Palestinians are already frustrated by continued Jewish settlements in lands they want for a future state. Many regard President Abbas as weak and are ignoring his appeals for calm.
Israel says the settlements are an essential part of its security. It accuses Palestinians of being unwilling to negotiate peace and refusing to recognize Israel’s right to exist.
