The White House stopped short of calling recent Palestinian attacks “terrorism.” Photo: Matt H. Wade / WikiCommons.

JNS.org – The White House on Wednesday expressed “deep concern” over the growing violence in Israel, but stopped short of calling recent Palestinian attacks “terrorism.”

“We are deeply concerned about recent violence and escalating tensions in the West Bank and Jerusalem,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest said. “The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms violence against Israelis and Palestinian civilians.”

“We call upon all parties to take affirmative steps to restore calm and refrain from actions and rhetoric that would further inflame tensions in that region of the world,” Earnest added.

Palestinian terrorists carried out a string of attacks against Israelis on Wednesday, including stabbing attacks in Petah Tikva, Jerusalem, and Kiryat Gat, as well as a car-ramming attack at the A’zaim checkpoint between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim.

One U.S. citizen, Eitam Henkin, has been killed during the recent spate of Palestinian violence.