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Palestinian Authority officials headed by Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad, are inciting anti-Israel violence in the West Bank, defense officials charged on Sunday as violent demonstrations spread from Hebron to Jerusalem's Old City.
Four policemen and a number of protesters were hurt in clashes around the Temple Mount on Sunday and seven Arabs were arrested.
In Hebron, large security forces protected a Jewish march through the city but no violence was reported. Palestinians have been engaged in a series of protests following last Sunday's cabinet decision to add the Cave of the Patriarchs to the list of national heritage sites.
Defense officials said they were concerned that the violence in Jerusalem on Sunday was an indication that Palestinian unrest was spreading and could possibly escalate into a wave of violence throughout the West Bank.
As a result, the IDF is under instructions to restrain itself out of fear that an aggressive military response could be used as an excuse by the Palestinians to escalate the violence. At the same time, the Civil Administration has been in contact with the PA, urging it to restrain its forces and rein in demonstrators.
According to assessments within the defense establishment, senior PA officials and specifically Fayyad, are encouraging Palestinian youth to partake in anti-Israel demonstrations...