Tensions between Palestinians and Israelis escalated with the discovery of the body of a teenage Palestinian boy who was abducted from East Jerusalem.  Israeli investigators say he could have been killed by Israelis or Palestinians.  Palestinian protesters believe the kid was kidnapped and killed in revenge for the deaths of three Israeli teens found earlier in the week.

Authorities say 17-year old Mohammed Abu Khdeir’s body was badly burned when it was discovered in a forested area of Jerusalem.  It was quickly followed by widespread accusations from Palestinians that Jewish Settlers had murdered Mohamed in a revenge attack.  Angry protesters threw rocks and projectiles at Israeli police, who responded with live rounds, rubber bullets, and tear gas.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas blamed the settlers and demanded that Israel “hold the killers accountable.. (and) mete out the strongest punishment against the murderers if it truly wants peace”.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on police to investigate the “despicable” murder of Mohammed Abu Khdeir.  Police said they are investigating “a criminal motive or a nationalist one.”

Earlier this week, three Israel teens – 19-year old Eyal Yifrah, 19, and 16-year olds Gilad Shaar and Naftali Fraenkel – were found dead under a pile of rocks in a vacant lot near Hebron.  They had gone missing on 12 June, while hitchhiking home through the West Bank from their religious school.  One of the boys managed to call police and report they had been abducted, but police blew it off as a crank, delaying the investigation for several crucial hours.  Netanyahu is blaming the Palestinian militant group Hamas for the crime.