IDF troops deployed in Jerusalem

Jerusalem  photo: Reuters
Jerusalem photo: Reuters

The troops will act as security guards on public transport in Israel's capital until civilian security arrangments are made.

From today, some 300 IDF soldiers will be deployed at public transport stops, on buses, and along traffic routes in Jerusalem. The deployment is in line with a decision by the security cabinet in its attempt to deal with the recent wave of knife attacks by Palestinians, mainly in Israel's capital. The troops will reinforce the police in Jerusalem until a civilian security arrangement is set up on public transport in Jerusalem.

The latest security measure comes after concrete blocks and other barriers were erected at the edges of Arab neighborhoods of the city in what the cabinet referred to as "a breathing encirclement". The ministers also decided not to allow the houses of terrorists that had been demolished to be rebuilt.

Six weekend knife attacks

Despite the start of implementation of the measures decided on by the cabinet, the knife attacks continued at the weekend, with six stabbings or attempted stabbings by Palestinians from Hebron, in Hebron itself and at Jerusalem's Damascus Gate, fortunately without causing serious casualties. Through social networks and its television stations, Hamas has been encouraging people to commit runover attacks with vehicles, in the light of the failure of the knife attacks to do widespread harm. Palestinians also set fire to Joseph's Tomb in the city of Nablus.

Meanwhile, diplomatic attempts to calm the situation continue. US President Barack Obama said in the course of a press conference on Friday, “We are very concerned about the outbreak of violence. We condemn in the strongest possible terms violence directed against innocent people, and believe that Israel has a right to maintain basic law and order and protect its citizens from knife attacks, and violence on the streets. We also believe that it’s important for both prime minister Netanyahu and Israeli elected officials, and president Abbas and other people in positions of power, to try to tamp down rhetoric that may feed violence or anger or misunderstanding.” Obama was referring to allegations by the Palestinians that Israel intends to change the status quo relating to Muslim holy places on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The Israeli government denies having any such intentions.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on October 18, 2015

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2015

Jerusalem  photo: Reuters
Jerusalem photo: Reuters
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