Motorist rams Jerusalem pedestrians, shot dead: Israeli police

The latest violence began with a dispute over access to the site of the al-Aqsa Mosque – sacred to both Jews and Muslims – but has since escalated into what many fear may become another full-blown Palestinian uprising. Others have been shot dead by Israeli security forces during clashes.

The United Nations on Tuesday called the wave of Palestinian terror attacks in recent months “unacceptable”, but criticized Israel for the “excessive use of force” in its self-defense against terrorism.

Also on Monday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas blamed the escalation of tensions in the occupied Palestinian territories on Israel’s continued aggression and its illegal settlement activities.

The spokesperson also warned that punitive demolitions of Palestinian houses and the withholding of bodies of alleged attackers from their families can only aggravate the situation.

Soldiers shot and killed the driver of a auto who tried to run them over during the raid in the Qalandia refugee camp between Ramallah and Jerusalem, the Israeli army said.

Palestinians aged 18 to 22, a demographic dubbed the “Oslo generation” because they were born after the 1993 Oslo Accords, are the most supportive of an armed intifada and stabbings and the least supportive of the two-state solution.

Police later confirmed that the Palestinian assailant, a 21-year-old from Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, had died, while Israel’s medical services said none of the victims’ injuries was life-threatening.

Police spokeswoman Luba Samri says police arrested a suspect in his 30s from the West Bank village of Beit Sira.

The attack drew renewed attention to Jewish extremism and accusations Israel had not done enough to prevent such violence.

“There can never be justification for wanton attacks on civilians like we saw today”, said Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev.

Although Palestinians agree with the message issued by Mr Abbas, support for the ageing leader is dwindling. The poll found that 65 percent of Palestinians believe Abbas should resign.

He said the city would erect protective barriers near bus stations on the city’s main traffic arteries.

Barkat praised the “immediate alertness” of bystanders who averted “a grave tragedy”.