Ceremony for Gilad Sha'ar. Credit: Tamir Orbaum / Tazpit News Agency.

Times of Israel – Washington – US administration officials expressed concern Wednesday over the possibility that violence would continue to escalate following the murder of 16-year-old Hussein Abu Khdeir, reiterating calls to both sides to avoid any actions that could further instability. At the State Department, spokeswoman Jen Psaki said that it was concern over the possibility of further violence that spurred Secretary of State John Kerry to release a strongly-worded statement condemning the kidnapping and murder of the east Jerusalem resident.

“Clearly, we’re deeply concerned about the violence on the ground, and that’s why the Secretary issued a statement this morning,” Psaki told reporters during a briefing on Wednesday afternoon.

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