Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came under pressure Tuesday from right-wing allies in his razor-thin coalition to respond forcefully to Palestinian unrest, but that could risk provoking the violent escalation of an already volatile situation.
The dilemma for Netanyahu, long known as a wily political operator, was made clear Monday night, when several thousand right-wing protesters gathered in front of his residence demanding more security and new settlement construction.
Three of his own ministers and other political allies were among those demonstrating, as Netanyahu met his security cabinet to discuss a package of new measures.
"If a terrorist decides to throw a stone, you need to deport him and all his family, to destroy his house and his family's house, to take his citizenship. You need to hurt them," Oren Hazan, a lawmaker from Netanyahu's Likud party, told AFP at the rally.
The coalition government formed after elections in March is one of the most right-wing in Israel's history, but holds only a one-seat majority in parliament, leaving Netanyahu particularly beholden to various factions.
Those include parties representing Jewish settlements in the West Bank, where an Israeli couple were murdered in front of their children on Thursday.
Two days later, a Palestinian stabbed to death two Israelis -- a Jewish settler and a rabbi -- in Jerusalem's Old City.
Unrest has since spread in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, with Palestinian youths throwing stones and firebombs at Israeli police and soldiers, who have responded with live fire and rubber bullets.
Israeli soldiers have shot dead two Palestinians in the unrest, including a 13-year-old, and dozens of others have been wounded.
AFP
