Police heighten security in capital for Tisha Be’Av

Security forces will be stationed throughout the capital, with an emphasis on the Old City following two terror attacks in the city Monday.

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD
Tisha Be'av jerusalem 390 (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post)
Tisha Be'av jerusalem 390
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post)
Following rioting on the Temple Mount and two terrorist attacks on Monday, thousands of police officers are blanketing the capital during Tisha Be’av to ensure the safety of the worshipers expected to converge on the Western Wall.
“Police have heightened security throughout Jerusalem before and after the two terrorist attacks,” police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said on Monday.
“We are not taking any chances whatsoever to ensure safety as thousands go to the Wall to observe Tisha Be’av.”
Rosenfeld said many police units will be stationed throughout the capital, with an emphasis on the Old City.
“We have completed security measures, which have already been implemented,” he said.
“Tens of thousands of visitors in the area are expected, and police will ensure they can pray peacefully.”
Rosenfeld said border police, undercover teams and other elite units will cover the area to respond to any incidents immediately, with special precaution being taken at the Western Wall and synagogues.
At least five police officers were lightly wounded on Monday morning on the Temple Mount when hundreds of masked Muslims rioted and erected obstacles in an attempt to block reinforcements from dispersing them.
At approximately 7:30 a.m., officers charged with opening Mugrabi Gate for non-Muslim visitors were pelted with rocks and fire crackers.
Border Police reinforcements who were called in were initially impeded from arriving by obstacles placed at Mugrabi Gate, but were able to get through after dismantling them.
After containing the violence on Temple Mount, police said visitation hours would continue as planned.
Police said that over the last 30 days 430 Arabs have been arrested for rioting throughout the capital.