PM Netanyahu convenes discussion on security situation in Jerusalem and Highway 443 2 Sep 2015
Israeli Missions Around The World MFA Press Room 2015 PM Netanyahu convenes discussion on security situation in Jerusalem and Highway 443 2 Sep 2015

PM Netanyahu convenes discussion on security situation in Jerusalem and Highway 443

  • 9/2/2015
    •    
    PM Netanyahu: "We cannot accept a situation in which stones and firebombs are thrown along a main route to - and within - Jerusalem. The policy is zero tolerance for stone-throwing and zero tolerance for terrorism."
  • icon_zoom.png
    Firefighters douse a burning car with foam after it was hit by a petrol bomb in Jerusalem (Aug 3, 2015) injuring two Israelis Firefighters douse a burning car with foam after it was hit by a petrol bomb in Jerusalem (Aug 3, 2015) injuring two Israelis Copyright: Reuters
     
     
    (Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
     
    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this morning (Wednesday, 2 September 2015), in his office, convened a discussion on the security situation in Jerusalem and along Highway #443. Also participating in the discussion were Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, Intelligence and Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, ISA Director Yoram Cohen and additional officials.
     
    Prime Minister Netanyahu made it clear that he cannot accept a situation in which stones and firebombs are thrown along a main route to - and within - Jerusalem and said, "The policy is zero tolerance for stone-throwing and zero tolerance for terrorism."
     
    The Prime Minister ordered that units along Highway #443 be reinforced, that intelligence and observation efforts be stepped up and that the possibility of adding cameras and lighting along the entire length of the highway be examined.
     
    Two additional Border Police companies and approximately 400 Israel Police personnel will be stationed in Jerusalem.
     
    Since the legal system is finding it difficult to deal with stone-throwing by minors, changing open-fire orders regarding the throwing of stones and firebombs will be examined, as will be the imposition - by law - of minimum sentences for those who throw stones and firebombs.
     
    Prime Minister Netanyahu concluded the discussion by declaring that such incidents must be significantly reduced.



    Some recent attacks:

    • On August 23, 2015, Palestinians threw stones at Israeli vehicles near a gas station on Route 443. There were no casualties; cars were damaged.
    • On August 23, 2015, Palestinians threw dozens of Molotov cocktails at Israeli police and Border Police forces in the village of Issawiya (east Jerusalem). There were no casualties.
    • On August 21, 2015, Palestinians threw stones and Molotov cocktails at Israeli vehicles near a gas station on Route 443. There were no casualties.
    • On August 20, 2015, Palestinians threw stones at the light railway in the Shuafat neighborhood of east Jerusalem. There were no casualties; the railway was damaged.
    • On August 19, 2015, Palestinians threw stones at two vehicles on Route 45 near Jerusalem, between the Atarot Junction and the Benzion Netanyahu Exchange. A baby girl one year and ten months old and her father were injured; their vehicle was damaged.
    • On August 17, 2015, Palestinians threw stones at Jerusalem's light railway at Shuafat. There were no casualties. A railway car was damaged.
    • On the morning of August 15, 2015, a Palestinian stabbed an IDF soldier stationed at a roadblock on Route 443. Arriving at the roadblock, the Palestinian asked a soldier for water. Before the soldier could bring water to him the Palestinian stabbed him with a sharp instrument.