In the event of riots in east Jerusalem, the light rail could stop servicing the Shuafat neighborhood, official says.
By MELANIE LIDMANJerusalem light rail 311(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
The Jerusalem municipality and police are preparing for a wide variety of possibilities ahead of the UN General Assembly this week, and the potential for violence flaring up as a result of the Palestinian statehood aspirations.In the event of riots in east Jerusalem, the light rail could stop servicing the Shuafat neighborhood, said CityPass spokesman Ozel Vatik. He added that the security of the light rail was under the responsibility of the police and the company would follow whatever directives the police gave.RELATED:IDF readies gestures to minimize violence after UN bid Shaath: No West Bank violence unless settlers start it
Jerusalem Police spokesman Shmuel Ben-Ruby said the police were “ready for every kind of situation,” though no one knows when, or if, violence will break out in east Jerusalem. Over the past week, police from across the country completed a major drill in preparation for possible riots.Insp.-Gen. Yochanan Danino said on Sunday that there was no specific intelligence for planned disturbances.However, a small incident, including a “price-tag” account or incident at the Temple Mount, could easily spark widespread rioting as tensions run high.Police have beefed up their presence in and around Jerusalem, and there are 7,400 riot police stationed around the country, with an additional 1,500 officers on standby.Yaakov Lappin contributed to this report.
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