Shamir Vows ‘Iron Fist’ in Death of U.S.-Born Settler

Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir responded today to the stabbing death of a U.S.-born settler by promising to smash violence in the occupied territories with an “iron fist.”

Hundreds of settlers demonstrated in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and the West Bank after the weekend slaying of Frederick Steven Rosenfeld.

“How many Jews have to die before something is done?” some chanted.

Israel’s military command said today it is extending the closure of West Bank schools for another month, ignoring pleas from the United States and human rights groups.

The 1,194 schools have been closed for all but a few weeks since Feb. 3, 1988, keeping 320,000 pupils at home. Israel said the schools, including 145 kindergartens, are rallying points for rioters.

In the occupied Gaza Strip, Arab doctors said seven Palestinians were wounded in clashes with Israeli troops at two refugee camps, including a 15-year-old girl shot in the head.

Shamir blamed Palestinians for the killing and promised swift, harsh punishment.

“This murder is another link in the chain of blood of violent actions carried out against us in the country by murderers and rioters who believe that by these actions they will put an end to our settlement and our existence,” he told industrialists in Tel Aviv. “Israel’s security forces will uproot this violence with an iron fist.”