Starting in the early hours of Friday morning, the police deployed thousands of Jerusalem District police and border fighters throughout Jerusalem who worked on security missions, maintaining public order, directing and flowing traffic, all with the goal of allowing tens of thousands of worshipers to reach the Temple Mount and exercise their freedom of worship.
The many preparations made by the police, along with the assessments and extensive operational activity at the Jerusalem Envelope crossings, allowed many worshipers to enter the Temple Mount in accordance with the policy echelon policy, as well as the flow of public transportation traffic from the Old City crossings and back.
Early in the morning, there was a disturbance on the Temple Mount that included stone-throwing and firing of fireworks in the direction of the back of the Western Wall. The police forces under the command of Jerusalem District Commander Doron Turgeman entered the Temple Mount area using means to disperse the riots in order to repel the rioters, which made it possible to hold the noon prayer safely. Police have arrested three suspects for their involvement in disturbances and according to the police statement further arrests are expected.
Earlier today, a special situation assessment was held at the police station at the Western Wall, headed by Chief of Police Yaakov Shabtai and the Jerusalem District Commander, who commanded the deployment. Commissioner of Police Ran Yaakov Shabtai said at the end of the assessment of the situation: “The activity of the Israel Police during Ramadan and the way in which Friday prayers are held for him, prove that we are determined never to allow any extremist to disrupt order and violate religious freedom and worship. Leaving the police districts strong with many forces as part of the readiness for any scenario anywhere, and reinforcing the Jerusalem district with many fighters and policemen.We will face many challenges and events in which the police will continue to be a significant force in the country’s internal security.
This Ramadan has also shown us once again that the Israeli police must continue to intensify and become stronger in order to provide an optimal response to the citizens of Israel. We also saw the unprecedented cooperation of the General Security Service, and the IDF with the police. The district in recent weeks. “