US says Israeli stabbing of Palestinians is 'terrorism'

The stabbing of a Palestinian by a 17-year-old Israeli in Dimona was an "act of terror", the State Department said Wednesday.

“We've had a chance to look at that attack more deeply, and I think you're going to ask me, what do we consider it? An act of terrorism? And we do,” said spokesman John Kirby. “I would say, certainly individuals on both sides of this divide have proven capable of, and in our view, guilty of acts of terrorism.”

Kirby’s words are a departure from his response to the incident last week in which dismissed a question about the stabbing, saying he didn’t have details about it but was quick to describe as “terrorism” attacks by Palestinians against Israelis. 

Four Arab men were stabbed by a Jewish settler in an attack Friday. Two of the victims were seriously wounded while two others sustained minor injuries.

Kirby’s comments came ahead of Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit to the region for which no timetable was given.

Kerry’s travel come at a time when recent violent clashes have erupted between Palestinian youth and Israeli troops in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. 

Kirby said Kerry would travel to the region “to try to find ways to reduce the tensions, restore the calm”.

At least 1,600 Palestinians have been injured during clashes with Israelis since Oct. 3, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.