Manhunt for attacker underway

Israeli security forces are searching for an Arab attacker who stabbed a 17 year old youth in Jerusalem's Ramot neighborhood Saturday. Yehuda Neemad was walking with a friend in the neighborhood when he was attacked and stabbed in the stomach and back. The assailant fled through the nearby forest in the direction of the nearby West Bank village of Beit Iksa. Neemad's condition had stabilized on Sunday and Israeli military and other security forces continued searching for the perpetrator in the Palestinian village and elsewhere in the area. Israeli defense officials estimate the terrorist took advantage of the fact that the separation fence between Israeli and Palestinian areas does not extend to Beit Iksa and was able to enter the neighborhood and leave without interference. Meanwhile Border Police on Sunday thwarted an apparent stabbing attack after they arrested a Palestinian at the Machpela Cave who had a knife in his possession. Security officials believe he had planned to attack Israelis.