Rabbi Hillel Horowitz, who heads the Council for Batei Chaim (Cemeteries) is considering a volunteer patrol effort to protect visitors and kevarim in Har HaZeisim due to the colossal failure of police. Rabbi Horowitz reports a sharp increase in attacks and violence in recent months. Horowitz explains the volunteer effort would be in addition to and not in place of a police presence.

According to a report from the security company that is responsible for Har HaZeisim released days ago, there were 398 incidents during the month of September which include gunfire, rock-throwing every few hours, firebombs hurled at security forces and more. The report cites that 233 incidents involved rock-throwing and firebombs by youths ages 6-17. There have also been a number of incidents involving damage to matzeivos like the recent attack in the Gur section of the beis hachaim.

Rabbi Horowitz told the Kippa website on Monday 10 Marcheshvan that if the violence continues he will consider establishing a volunteer force to deal with the situation. Horowitz adds that since the attempted assassination of Har Habayis activist Rabbi Yehuda Glick last week, there has been a dramatic increase in police activity and he hopes this signals a volunteer force will not be necessary. He cautions the question remains just how long police will operate with such tenacity towards keeping the violence at bay.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)