Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for restraint amid growing calls from the right-wing groups to revenge the abduction and murder of three Israeli teens last month.
"I appeal to all the citizens of Israel and ask you: Please exercise restraint in your actions and words. Our hearts ache, our blood boils, but we must remember that we are, first and foremost, human beings and we are citizens of a law-abiding country," Netanyahu said.
"We are making decisions in a responsible, cool-headed and considered manner," he said.
His remarks came following the death of a young Palestinian boy in a suspected "revenge" attack by right-wing extremists as Israel moved troops to its border with Gaza.
During his remarks at the American Independence Day celebration at US Ambassador Dan Shapiro's house here today, Netanyahu also condemned the murder of a 16-year-old Palestinian Muhammad Hussein Abu Khdeiron.
Khdeiron's body was found in the Jerusalem forest on Wednesday. The premier also vowed to bring to justice those responsible for the murder.
"I unequivocally condemn the murder of a Palestinian youth in Jerusalem a few days ago," he said.
"The police investigation is ongoing. We don't know yet the motives or the identities of the perpetrators but we will. We will bring to justice the criminals responsible for this despicable crime, whoever they may be," he said.
He said murder, riots, incitement, vigilantism had no place in Israeli democracy, adding that it is the democratic values that differentiate Israel from its neighbours and unites it with the US.
The secret to the special US-Israel relationship can be summarised in four words - "shared values, common interests," he said.
