A Jewish suspect stabbed and wounded four Arabs in southern Israel on Friday, police said, in the first such attack after a spate of stabbings in recent days targeting Israelis.

The attack occurred in the city of Dimona. At least two of the victims were Arab Israelis while it was still unclear whether the other two were Arab Israeli or Palestinian, police said. The Jewish suspect had been arrested.

Police called the attack "nationalistic," indicating it may have been in revenge for at least eight stabbings that have targeted Israelis since Saturday, killing at least two of them.

Palestinians have also rioted in annexed east Jerusalem and the West Bank, with the unrest raising fears of a wider uprising or even a third intifada.

Several hundred right-wing Jewish protesters marched in Jerusalem on Thursday night, including some chanting "Death to Arabs" and "No Arabs, No Attacks".

Arab Israelis are the descendants of Palestinians who remained after the creation of the state of Israel in 1948 and hold Israeli citizenship.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians also work in Israel, particularly in construction.
Source: AFP