The IDF has a new plan to battle Palestinian terrorism in Jerusalem

The move is meant to improve dialogue and cooperation between relevant local authorities and the army.

By ANNA AHRONHEIM
Updated: JANUARY 30, 2018 16:23
Damascus Gate (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
Damascus Gate
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
The IDF has restructured its brigades and improved coordination with the police to battle terrorism in Jerusalem and the West Bank corridor surrounding it.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gadi Eisenkot approved the plan, which was drafted in the last few months by General Staff officers, including Judea and Samaria Division former commander Brig. Gen. Lior Carmeli and Binyamin Regional Brigade commander Col. Yuval Guez.
It includes a new joint-operations room for all security authorities, IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Ronen Manelis told military reporters on Monday.
Defense officials plan to focus their efforts with police and border police on areas of east Jerusalem outside the security barrier.
According to Manelis, there has been a rise in Palestinians crossing into areas where the IDF is not present, posing significant problems.
He emphasized that this move will significantly improve the dialogue and cooperation between the relevant authorities and that the IDF has “no intention” of taking responsibility for areas that were not previously under its control.
As part of the framework of the multi-stage plan, the army will also transfer areas close to Jerusalem that were previously under the control of Etzion Regional Brigade to the Binyamin Regional Brigade.
In addition, northern parts of the area under the control of the Binyamin Regional Brigade will be transferred to the Samaria Regional Brigade in the coming months.
While Manelis said the increased cooperation between the Etzion and Binyamin brigades is set to begin in the coming days, the formal transfer of responsibility will only take effect around May.
Since October 2015, Palestinians have stabbed, rammed and shot Israeli soldiers and civilians, including some tourists, in a wave of violence on both sides of the Green Line.