Palestinian youths on rampage after man shot dead

CROWDS of Palestinian youths went on violent rampages in east Jerusalem yesterday, stoning buses, overturning cars and facing down Israeli riot police at the holy city’s most sensitive religious site following the shooting death of a local man.

The sudden burst of violence immediately clouded fragile peace efforts, even as the Palestinian president signalled he may back down from threats to walk away from the negotiations next week if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proceeds with plans to resume settlement construction in the West Bank.

“I cannot say I will leave the negotiations, but it’s very difficult for me to resume talks, if Prime Minister Netanyahu declares that he will continue his (settlement) activity in the West Bank and Jerusalem,” Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said in an address to US Jewish leaders in New York.