Two weeks of relative calm in Jerusalem came to a violent end Tuesday when two Palestinians were killed and one wounded during stabbing attacks against Israeli security officials.
Guards at the Damascus Gate outside Jerusalem's Old City shot dead a Palestinian man who charged at them with a knife.
Police gunned down a second Palestinian who tried to stab a border guard in east Jerusalem, and one Palestinian youngster was wounded and another arrested after stabbing and lightly wounding a guard at the Jerusalem train station.
The two suspects are reported to be between 11 and 14-years-old.
Twelve Israelis and 77 Palestinians have been killed in a wave of violence that began in September when rumors swept through Palestinian neighborhoods that Israel plans to take over an east Jerusalem holy site revered by Jews and Muslims.
Most of the Palestinians died while stabbing or attempting to attack Jews.
Israel has denied the rumors about the holy site and accuses Palestinian leaders of inciting violence.
But Palestinians say they are tired of Jewish settlements on land they want for a future state, a lack of economic opportunity, and a dim outlook for peace.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said again Tuesday the responsibility for a peace deal is on Palestinian shoulders.
In a speech to the Jewish Federation of North America in Washington, Netanyahu cited what he calls the "persistent Palestinian refusal" to recognize a Jewish state,
"The truth is that Israel seeks peace. The truth is that I seek peace. But when Israel ...met Arab leaders who wanted peace equally, Egypt's Anwar Sadat and Jordan's King Hussein, Israel made peace," Netanyahu said. "And Israel will face a Palestinian leadership that seeks peace, that is willing to bury the past."
Netanyahu held talks Monday at the White House with U.S. President Barack Obama and the White House says Obama will meet with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin in Washington December 9.
He will be an honored guest at the annual White House celebration of the Jewish festival of Hannukah.
