A Palestinian teenager was on Wednesday kidnapped and killed in an apparent act of revenge for the murder by militants of three Israeli youths, triggering violent clashes in east Jerusalem.
Palestinian leaders denounced the killing, holding Israel responsible and demanding the Government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu act to prevent revenge attacks.
“I demand the Israeli Government punish the killers if it wants peace between the Palestinian and the Israeli peoples,” said Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas.
Netanyahu also condemned the “despicable murder” and ordered investigators to work “as quickly as possible” to track down the perpetrators, while urging both sides “not to take the law into their own hands”.
Eyewitnesses told AFP 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khder was seen being forced into a car by three Israelis in east Jerusalem.