Failures in peace talks will not lead to terrorism to escalate in the West Bank, Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief Yoram Cohen told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Tuesday.
"The amount of terror attacks is also a result of internal problems in the Palestinian street," Cohen explained in the meeting, which was closed to press.
The Shin Bet chief reported an uptick in attacks in the West Bank, coming most from individuals as opposed to terrorist organizations.
In 2013, there were 1,700 terrorist attacks in 2013, including shootings, Molotov cocktails, stabbings and rock-throwing by minors and adults.
The Shin Bet also stopped several attempts to kidnap civilians and soldiers.
Cohen listed economic problems and lack of trust in Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas by Palestinians as reasons for the attacks.
As for "price tag" vandalism, Cohen said there have only been 40 incidents in the past four years and not all of them can be considered terror.
However, he added, the Shin Bet arrested three suspects for "price tag" acts.
Cohen explained that there is no one central organization behind "price tag" incidents and the Shin Bet has trouble tracking down perpetrators and often does not have sufficient evidence for indictments.
The Shin Bet chief also discussed a rise in Islamic extremist terrorism in the Sinai.
According to Cohen, the Egyptian Army is dealing with the problem, but is unable to eradicate it.