Israel tightens security

Israel announced on Wednesday it was setting up roadblocks, deploying soldiers and easing firearms restrictions for its citizens, after 21 reported knife attacks by Palestinians in 11 days.

Hundreds of soldiers were stationed around the country in an effort to quell the violence, which began with a series of knife attacks against Israelis in early October. The AFP news agency reported also that authorities began easing firearms restrictions for Israelis and revoking some people in East Jerusalem of their residence permits.

As the measures came into effect on Wednesday, a Palestinian man was shot dead while attempting to stab a police officer near the Old City in Jerusalem.

'Aggressive steps'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called an emergency cabinet session on Tuesday, where he announced the government would take more "aggressive steps" to crack down on Palestinian attackers.

Earlier Tuesday, three Israelis were killed and dozens more injured, in what was called the deadliest day in Israel since the current wave of violence began.

Meanwhile, the secretary general of the Arab League appealed to the UN General Assembly to intervene in the conflict, decrying Israel's aggression against the Palestinian people.

A spokesman for Hamas, which controls Gaza, called the attacks "heroic" and said the "Intifada is intensifying," according to the AFP news agency.

blc/msh (AP, AFP, Reuters)