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Following yesterday’s dual terror attacks in Jerusalem and Gush Etzion, Israeli leaders blamed Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas for encouraging the violence.

Yesterday’s attacks were the latest violent flashpoints during several months of unrest in Jerusalem, especially at the Temple Mount which is holy to both Muslims and Jews. Last month, Abbas called on Palestinians to “use any means” to prevent Jews from “desecrating the Temple Mount.” Last week, he described Israel’s decision to temporarily close the site due to security concerns as tantamount to a “declaration of war.” Despite Israeli criticism of his inflammatory comments, Abbas sent a letter of condolence to the family of an assailant, terming him a “martyr,” who last week attempted to assassinate a campaigner for Jewish prayer rights at the Temple Mount.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented yesterday afternoon that, “The vehicle attack in Jerusalem is a direct result of Abu Mazen’s [Abbas] incitement.” However, he pledged that, “We are in the midst of a struggle for Jerusalem and I have no doubt that we will triumph.” Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon echoed Netanyahu’s words, saying that Abbas’s “rhetorical incitement, in which he disseminates lies and hatred against Israel, while praising Palestinian terrorists … are responsible for the bloodshed in Jerusalem.”

This morning’s Israeli dailies include plenty of commentary over yesterday’s events. In Yediot Ahronot, Alex Fishman argues that Abbas’s support for the Jerusalem violence is a warning to Israel, “As soon as we decide to stop coordination with your security services in the West Bank, you’ll begin to find yourselves embroiled in same problem there.” Fishman says that one way to calm tensions is to “open the door to renewed political negotiations.”

Also in Yediot Ahronot, Sima Kadmon warns that the actions of right-wing Knesset members, a “band of provocateurs,” who insist on visiting the Temple Mount is “picking at a sore, making sure it never heals.” Kadmon says that the likes of MK’s Uri Ariel, Miri Regev and Moshe Feiglin “do everything in their power to prevent calm.”