Israeli PM calls for halt to incitement

The world must end its silence and condemn "Palestinian incitement" that fuels violence in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday, hours after a Palestinian gunman shot and seriously wounded a Israeli activist in Jerusalem.

Speaking at a meeting with high-ranking security and law enforcement officials who convened to assess the simmering tensions, Netanyahu said that Israel is facing "a wave of incitement by radical Islamic elements" and also by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, "who said that Jews must be prevented from entering the Temple Mount by all possible means", Xinhua quoted a statement by Netanyahu's office as saying.

"I still haven't heard a single word from the international community condemning this incitement. The international community must stop its hypocrisy and act against the inciters, those who are trying to change the status quo," the premier added.

Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Ya'alon, Shin Bet Director Yoram Cohen and Police Commissioner Yohanan Danino attended the discussion, as well as the mayor of Jerusalem, representatives of the Justice Ministry and the Attorney General's Office, and military officials.

Cautioning that the struggle over Jerusalem may be "long and drawn out," Netanyahu urged both Arabs and Jews not to take the law into their own hands.