Netanyahu: Jerusalem to reevaluate open-fire orders on hostiles throwing rocks & fire-bombs

 

By HERB KEINON

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a special high-level security meeting on Wednesday where it was decided to increase security forces in Jerusalem and on Road 443 from the capital to Mod’in, and weigh new open-fire orders on those throwing rocks and fire-bombs.

The meeting, which included Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, Transportation and Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz, General Security Services (Shin Bet) head Yoram Cohen, and other security officials was called in light of a recent spike in terror incidents in the capital and on 443, which is one of the major roads to and from the capital.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures during an appearance at a Likud faction meeting. – Photo: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM

According to a statement put out by the Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu said that he was not willing to tolerate rock and petrol-bomb attacks on a central road to Jerusalem, or inside the capital.

“The policy is zero tolerance for rock throwers and zero tolerance for terror,” he said, legislating a minimum punishment for those offenders, “since the legal system is having difficulty dealing with juveniles” engaged in those activities.

It was agreed at the meeting that the number of security forces along 443 and in Judea and Samaria will be increased, and that observation posts and intelligence gathering means will be enhanced. Likewise, two additional border patrol squadrons will be sent to the capital, as well as another 400 police.

This is the second consultation on the worsening security situation that Netanyahu has held this week, saying at the end that the number of violent incidents needed to be drastically reduced.

 

View original The Jerusalem Post publication at:
http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Netanyahu-Israel-to-weigh-changing-open-fire-orders-on-those-throwing-rocks-and-fire-bombs-414979