Biden Discusses Syria, Israel-Palestine Tensions With Netanyahu

US Vice President Joe Biden discussed the current tensions between Israel and Palestine as well as the situation in Syria with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House announced in a press release after the meeting between the two leaders in Jerusalem.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — On Tuesday, a series of knife and gun attacks by Palestinians took place in three Israeli cities, namely Jaffa, Petah Tikva and Jerusalem. The assailant, a Palestinian man, was shot and killed after he stabbed 11 people in the Jaffa port area of Tel Aviv. A US tourist was later confirmed to have died in the attack.

“The Vice President and the Prime Minister discussed ongoing violence and tensions between the Israelis and the Palestinians,” the release said on Wednesday. “The Vice President reiterated his condemnation for yesterday's brutal terrorist attacks, including the murder of US citizen, Taylor Force.”

“The Vice President also praised the security partnership between the United States and Israeli militaries, and pledged the United States continued strong‎ support for Israel's security,” the release said on Wednesday.

The White House added that Biden and Netanyahu discussed a range of security concerns across the region, including the threat of Daesh and other terrorist groups, the current crisis in Syria, and Iran's missile tests.

Palestine seeks the recognition of its independent state on the territories in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip — lands occupied by Israel since the 1967 Six-Day War. The Israeli government has so far refused to recognize the State of Palestine as an independent diplomatic entity.