CRI听力:Security Heightened in Jerusalem after Attack before Christmas

Two Israelis died and another was seriously wounded on Wednesday in a stabbing at Jaffa Gate, a tourism hub in Jerusalem's Old City.

Border police officers shot two Palestinians and killed both of them.

Micky Rosenfeld is a spokesman for the Israel Police.

"It's been the first attack in Jerusalem within several weeks, especially in such a sensitive area, but a quick respond from the border police managed to prevent the attack from being much more serious."

Tensions have been mounting in Israel and the Palestinian territories for about three months. Since the beginning of October, fierce clashes have resulted in 20 Israeli deaths, while Israeli forces have shot dead more than 120 Palestinians.

Wednesday's attack, which happened in a highly-populated area, has made many Israelis worry about their safety.

"At this gate never happened any attack. Usually attacks happen at the Damascus Gate. Here we were safe, we can go to the hotel, the Old City, the Jewish Quarter. Now it brings some concern about the attacks, it's very scary. You concern about the safety and keep your eyes open."

The attack happened just two days before Christmas, when tens of thousands of tourists are expected to visit the holy land. Rosenfeld says that police will remain alert to prevent further attacks.

"Security assessment is going to be made of the next 24 to 48 hours in preparations for Christmas. We have thousands of tourists that are coming here in the next couple of days for Christmas, therefore heightened security will continue as long as necessary."

Despite the security problems, most tourists in the city are choosing to stay.

"That's pretty crazy. It's kind of scary. But it's such a big tourist destination, being among the people, you can't be in too much danger, I don't know."

"I think here got a major problem, but I tend to be able to see both sides of the problem."