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                Palestinian Shot After Stabbing Israeli Soldier

   by VOA News

   Israeli security forces say a Palestinian who stabbed a soldier in the
   West Bank Thursday was shot and critically wounded, in the latest
   instance of violence the U.N. has warned is turning into a
   "catastrophe."

   In a statement, the Israeli military said the soldier was lightly
   wounded in the incident, which occurred near the Tomb of the Patriarchs
   in the divided city of Hebron, where the presence of Israeli settlers
   has kept tensions high.

   More than a month of Palestinian violence has killed 11 Israelis and 58
   Palestinians. Israel says most of the Palestinians were killed while
   attacking or attempting to shoot or stab Israeli civilians, police, or
   soldiers.

   The violence erupted when rumors swept through Palestinian
   neighborhoods that Israeli was planning to take over an east Jerusalem
   holy site sacred to both Muslims and Jews. Israel has constantly denied
   the rumors.

   The U.N. High Commissioner of Human Rights on Wednesday said the
   violence will "draw closer to a catastrophe" if it is not stopped
   immediately.

   "People who fear each other, who fear the corresponding motives of each
   other and so fear the future. Fears that, unless checked, quickly
   become in time so raw, so stark... many considerations of humanity will
   become secondary," said Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein.

   Speaking at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Hussein laid blame for
   the violence on both sides -- accusing Israel of excessive use of force
   against the Palestinians along with violence carried out by Jewish
   settlers. But he said the Palestinian knifings, shootings, and car
   attacks against Israelis must stop as well as the incitement by
   Palestinian authorities.

   Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also addressed the Human Rights
   Council, calling on the world community to set up what he calls a
   "special regime" to protect his people from the Israelis.

   Israel's foreign ministry dismissed Abbas' comments as more "propaganda
   and incitement" instead of a desire to hold talks.

   U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who met separately last week with
   the Israeli and Palestinian leaders, has also avoided directly blaming
   one side or the other for the strife. He said in Washington Wednesday
   that both sides have to show "firm and creative leadership."

   "It is absolutely vital for Israel to take steps that empower
   Palestinian leaders to improve economic opportunities and the quality
   of life for their people on a day-to-day basis. And it is equally
   important for Palestinian leaders to cease the incitement of violence
   and to offer something more than rhetoric. Instead, propose solutions
   that will contribute in a real way... to the improvement of life... and
   to the safety and security of Israelis."
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   li-soldier/3027674.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/palestinian-shot-after-stabbing-israeli-soldier/3027674.html