In the lead-up to a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Vice President Joe Biden took a swipe at Palestinian officials Wednesday over the fatal stabbing of an American student, saying the US condemns those who fail to denounce such violent acts.
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Following a Wednesday meeting with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin in Jerusalem, Biden, who is in Israel on a two-day trip, said, “The violence has to stop, period … it can not and will not be done just by physical force”, according to the Times of Israel.
Biden was in Israel at the time of the attack and said that his wife and grandchildren were having a meal on the beach near the place it occurred. Israeli forces have killed nearly 180 Palestinians.
Palestinians say the violence stems from frustration at almost five decades of Israeli rule on the West Bank and east Jerusalem. Israel says the violence is fueled by a campaign of Palestinian incitement compounded on social media sites that glorify and encourage attacks.
“The United States of America condemns these acts and condemns the failure to condemn these acts”, Biden said while meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Others were shot dead by Israeli forces during clashes or demonstrations.
In Jerusalem, two Israeli police officers were severely injured in a drive-by shooting. Police are investigating whether he was shot by the gunmen or by police.
Meanwhile, witnesses in the Tel Aviv suburb of Petah Tikva said a Palestinian attacker was killed with his own knife by the ultra-Orthodox Jew who he had just stabbed.
Israeli police said the attacker in Jaffa stabbed a number of people in the port area, before moving through the city attacking others.
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Israeli authorities were investigating whether his injuries were the result of police or assailant gunfire.
