Netanyahu demands world condemnation of Jerusalem attack

The prime minister urges for a security crackdown on the Old City in the wake of Friday's lethal attack.

By JOY BERNARD
Updated: JUNE 17, 2017 20:19
Israeli police react to deadly Jerusalem terror attack, June 17, 2017. (Credit: Israel Police)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Saturday for the Palestinian Authority as well as the whole world to publicly speak out against Friday night's terror attack that resulted in the death of a 23-year-old border policewoman.
According to the Prime Minister's Office, the premier said that he demands that the Palestinian Authority condemn the attack and "expects the rest of the world to do the same."
UN Special Coordinator for Middle East Peace Nickolay Mladenov echoed the prime minister's sentiment in a statement he issued on Saturday. The UN envoy condemned the attack and expressed his bewilderment at Hamas's glorification of the assailants. "Such terrorist acts must be clearly condemned by all," Mladenov said. 
Netanyahu on Saturday also expressed his deep sorrow over the death of border policewoman Staff Sgt. Maj. Hadas Malka.
Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman also condemned Palestinian leadership for what he described as their "thundering silence" following the Jerusalem attack.
"The thundering silence that refuses to condemn terror coming from the Palestinian Authority, and Fatah's message that Israel murdered three innocent men, both prove there is no partner [for peace] on the other side," Liberman said in statement.
The prime minister said that following Friday's assault which was the latest in a wave of lethal attacks to have struck the Old City of Jerusalem, new security measures should be introduced in the capital.
The PMO stated that following a situation assessment that was held by the prime minister and security establishment officials, Netanyahu instructed that police look into the possibility of turning the Damascus Gate into a "sterile zone."
Calling for a security crackdown on the area, Netanyahu suggested that the gate, which serves as one of the main entrances into the Old City, be closed off.
According to this strategy, any individual who would want to enter through the gate would have to go through a security checkup.
The prime minister also said that metal detectors should be installed at the gate, presumably to prevent assailants carrying improvised weapons and knives from entering into the Old City and carrying out attacks.
Police got a head start on the security crackdown in Jerusalem over the weekend as they detained over 350 Palestinians who entered into Israel illegally. The arrests were conducted after police learned that the three assailants who carried out Friday's attack had entered into Israel illegally.
Friday's attacks took place simultaneously in two different scenes.
In one scene, two assailants opened fire at policemen in the Old City and attempted to stab them before being shot to death.
In the other scene, a third terrorist stabbed border policewoman Hadas Malka. While emergency medical teams and a hospital staff both fought for her life, the young policewoman succumbed to her wounds and was pronounced dead on Friday evening. Her burial ceremony is expected to take place later on Saturday.