Germany warns of new Palestinian uprising

Germany voiced concern Monday about the risk of a "new intifada" following clashes in Jerusalem, three days ahead of a Berlin visit by Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

"What possibly awaits us here is something like a new intifada," said foreign ministry spokesman Martin Schaefer.

"That can't be in anyone's interest - it can't be something anyone in Israel wants, or which any responsible Palestinian politician wants. That's why it is... so important to search for ways and means to resume talks in order to reach a permanent solution."

Netanyahu is scheduled to arrive Thursday in the German capital for talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Schaefer's comments come after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas accused Israel of escalating tensions as Netanyahu announced new security measures in response to rioting and a deadly stabbing.

"The Israeli side and its government have an interest in dragging things into a cycle of violence and are trying through escalation at al-Aqsa [mosque compound] and settler attacks to escape their political impasse and international isolation," said the statement from Abbas's office, its first reaction since a recent spike in unrest.

Netanyahu pledged "a fight to the death against Palestinian terror" as clashes spread.

The rioting has followed three attacks in recent days that have killed four Israelis and wounded several others.

Israeli troops shot dead two Palestinian teens during clashes in the occupied West Bank over the past 24 hours, with the Red Crescent saying that 456 Palestinians have been injured in the violent protests over the last two days alone.

Escalating tension

Netanyahu, facing pressure from right-wing members of his governing coalition to respond forcefully, announced a package of new measures "to prevent terror and deter and punish the attackers".

They included swifter demolition of Palestinian homes, broader use of detention without trial, and police and troop reinforcements for Jerusalem and the West Bank.

He also spoke of using restraining orders to keep "inciters" away from the flashpoint al-Aqsa mosque compound, the site of repeated clashes in recent weeks.

Old City ban 

Israel barred Palestinians from Jerusalem's Old City on Sunday as violence spread.

The Old City restrictions are to be in place through Monday, when Jews wrap up celebrations of the eight-day Sukkot holiday. Only Israelis, tourists, residents of the area, business owners and students were allowed in.

Worship at the sensitive al-Aqsa mosque compound has been limited to men aged 50 and above. There were no age restrictions on women.

Around 300,000 Palestinians live in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, where the Old City is located.