Yonchanon Danino.
(photo credit: Courtesy of Israel Police )
Israel Police Chief Insp.-Gen. Yochanan Danino said Monday that events surrounding the
September 20 Palestinian statehood recognition bid at the UN could be
"explosive," and said that the police had to be prepared for mass
protests that might break out as a result.
Speaking at the 11th Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya at the World
Summit on Counter-Terrorism, the police chief said that recent
cross-border terror attacks in southern Israel that resulted in the
deaths of eight Israelis were a kind of preparation for the potential
events facing police later this month.
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He said that police expected mass demonstrations following the
Palestinian state recognition that would likely take place in Israeli
territories and would include Israeli residents.
Danino added that police have been instructed to treat protesters no
differently than those who had engaged in social protests and tent
demonstrations this past summer.
"Police have been instructed to behave in protests in the same manner
that they behaved with tent activists, with patience, sensitivity, and
encouraging dialogue so as to prevent a deteriorating situation," Danino
said, but warned that any violation of law and order or violence will
be dealt with immediately and without compromise.
