Mosque in West Bank damaged in arson attack and ancient synagogue petrol-bombed

A mosque in the West Bank has been extensively damaged in an arson attack.

The incident is likely to further stoke tensions after a spate of fatal stabbings of Israelis and the deadly use of vehicles to ram pedestrians.

Palestinian officials blame Jewish settlers for the arson.

In a separate attack, a petrol bomb was thrown at an ancient synagogue, causing slight damage.

Yaakov Peri, an Israeli Cabinet minister, spoke to reporters:

“Those are brutal attacks,” he said. “The Israeli government condemns them and I hope that the security forces, the police will bring those terrorists to court as soon as possible.”

On Tuesday a Palestinian was shot dead during clashes in the West Bank.

Tension has flared in recent weeks over Jewish access to one of Jerusalem’s holiest sites, revered by both Muslims and the Jewish community.