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Benjamin Netanyahu

JERUSALEM. — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged yesterday to intensify Israel’s struggle against “Palestinian terrorism”, as a visit by US 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 US 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 Defence, 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, north-west 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. — Xinhua.