Israel eyes more entry permits to Palestinian workers to douse tensions

Israel plans to increase the number of entry permits it grants to Palestinian workers, Palestinian and Israeli sources said on Monday, in a drive to ease economic hardship that has contributed to a wave of Palestinian attacks. Publicly, the Israeli government has accused Palestinian leaders, including President Mahmoud Abbas and Islamist groups, of inciting violence. A Defence Ministry official confirmed a report in the Haaretz newspaper on Monday which said Israel would increase the number of w