In the early hours of Friday, more than 2,000 police officers and MGB fighters were deployed in Jerusalem under the command of Jerusalem District Commander Superintendent Doron Turgeman. Their main focus was to ensure the security and safety of worshippers visiting the Temple Mount. The police’s assessments and operational activity facilitated the entry of several individuals to the Mount and helped in regulating traffic in public transportation. During the noon prayer on the fourth Friday of the month of Ramadan, a group of masked individuals brandished banners and flags of different terrorist organizations in the Temple Mount square. The police arrested and detained eight suspects for their involvement in these activities. The suspects are being interrogated at the mission investigation headquarters of the Jerusalem District, and further arrests are expected to follow. The Israel Police will continue to work alongside other security forces to maintain order and thwart terrorist activities in the Old City and religious sites in Jerusalem.
Starting in the early hours of the morning (Friday), over 2,000 Jerusalem District police officers and MGB fighters with police reinforcements under the command of the Jerusalem District Commander Superintendent Doron Turgeman were deployed throughout Jerusalem, and acted in security tasks, maintaining public order, directing and directing traffic, everything In order to allow the arrival of tens of thousands of worshipers to the Temple Mount and exercise the freedom of worship safely.
The assessments and the extensive operational activity in the city and at the crossings surrounding Jerusalem, allowed the entry of many worshipers to the Temple Mount, as well as the flow of traffic in public transportation from the crossings to the Old City and back.
About an hour and a half ago, the noon prayer on the fourth Friday of the month of Ramadan ended on the Temple Mount, with the participation of tens of thousands of worshipers, and the dispersal phase began.
Shortly after the end of the prayer, a number of masked people waved flags and banners of terrorist organizations in the Temple Mount square. In the last hour the police arrested and detained for questioning 8 suspects on suspicion of waving the flags and chanting incitement and at this time additional crimes are being committed. The arrests were carried out by police officers from the David area and MGB fighters in the Old City with the assistance and guidance of Mbat 2000 observers – who directed the forces to the suspects who were indicted. In these minutes, the suspects are being taken for questioning at the mission investigation headquarters of the Jerusalem District and further arrests are expected later.
Earlier today, a special situation assessment was held at the Western Wall police station, led by Police Commissioner Chief Superintendent Yaakov Shabtai, and Jerusalem District Commander Superintendent Doron Turgeman who commanded the preparation, along with representatives of the command staff of the Israel Police, police officers and representatives of the security agencies. Later, another situation assessment was held with the participation of the Minister of National Security, the Commissioner of Police, the Jerusalem Police Department and other officers, in which an overview was given to the Minister about the preparation and police activity.
The police said: “The Israel Police will continue to operate throughout the day, and later in the month of Ramadan, with increased forces together with the security forces, in order to maintain security and order, thwart terrorist intentions, deal with instigators and troublemakers, and allow everyone the freedom of worship throughout the Old City and the holy places in Jerusalem.”
Police spokespersons