US Diplomats Protest Israel’s Demolition of West Bank Home 

JERUSALEM - The Israeli army on Thursday demolished the home of a Palestinian-American who was convicted of murdering an Israeli citizen in a terror attack in May. The U.S. Embassy denounced the move calling it a “unilateral move that exacerbates tensions.”

Israeli troops placed explosives around Muntasar Shalabi’s house in the West Bank town of Turmus Ayya during the night Tuesday and set off the explosives early Wednesday morning.    About 200 Palestinians threw rocks at the soldiers who responded with tear gas and stun grenades.  There were no reports of injuries. While Israel frequently demolishes the homes of Palestinians convicted of attacks on Israelis, this case is different for several reasons.