US condemns attacks on Israelis as 'terror' and 'murder'

WASHINGTON – The United States once again condemned ongoing violence in Israel on Tuesday, after attacks by Palestinians took the lives of at least three Israelis and maimed at least 20 others.Since October 1, at least seven Israelis have been killed and dozens more have been injured in attacks across Israel and the Palestinian territories.According to Palestinian reports, 27 Palestinians – including nine alleged attackers– have also died.“The United States condemns in the strongest terms today’s terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians, which resulted in the murder of three Israelis and left numerous others wounded. We mourn any loss of innocent life, Israeli or Palestinian,” State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement. “We continue to stress the importance of condemning violence and combating incitement.”Over the weekend, US Secretary of State John Kerry offered American help in calls with both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.Netanyahu has repeatedly blamed Abbas for inciting Palestinians to violence, while Abbas claims that Netanyahu seeks to change status quo arrangements on the Temple Mount where Jews are not allowed to pray.The violence has taken various forms including stabbings, shootings and vehicular attacks against Israeli children, adult civilians and police forces, while Palestinian deaths have reportedly been at the hands of the IDF, with one incident last week characterized as a reprisal attack by an Israeli Jew against Israeli Arabs.“We are in regular contact with the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority,” Kirby said. “We remain deeply concerned about escalating tensions and urge all sides to take affirmative steps to restore calm and prevent actions that would further escalate tensions.”