Israel police arrest Palestinian carrying an axe near Jerusalem

According to authorities, the arrest took place near the Palestinian village of Beit Jala.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Axe found in possesion of Palestinian suspect (photo credit: POLICE SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
Axe found in possesion of Palestinian suspect
(photo credit: POLICE SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
Border Police operating near Jerusalem arrested an Arab man who was found to be in possession of an axe early Thursday morning.
According to authorities, the arrest took place near the Palestinian village of Beit Jala.
Border Police officers noticed the man, 29, carrying an unusual object which he attempted to conceal underneath his clothing, according to authorities.
When the officers demanded that the suspicious youth drop to the floor, they noticed an axe, prompting them to arrest him. During questioning, police said that the youth was planning to travel to Jerusalem to commit an attack against an IDF soldier.
Authorities said the suspect is a 29-year-old resident of the West Bank town of Bethlehem.
“The alertness and preparedness of the soldiers as well as their determination and readiness to come into contact [with the suspect] prevented a terrorist attack,” said the Border Police spokesperson.