1,200 police, border police and Special Forces are taking part in Operation Guardian of the Walls in Yerushalayim, the effort to bring an end to daily Arab violence and attacks. While police release statements reporting increased arrests and zero tolerance against law-breaking, the attacks against public transportation, motorists, law-enforcement troops and civilians continue, as do vandalism attacks in Har HaZeisim.

Mayor Nir Barkat released the following statement on Monday 3 Marcheshvan. “We must not surrender to terrorism; we must restore law and order in eastern Jerusalem.”

Mayor Barkat presented an outline for a course of action to the Committee, which includes: increased deployment of police forces over a long period of time and across a wide area; development of technological means to deter potential violators and to assist forces in the field; creating task forces that integrate police forces and municipal professionals to increase enforcement and implement stricter penalties against those who disturb the peace.

Mayor Barkat continued “Cancelling visits to Jerusalem plays into the hands of those causing the disturbances. I urge everyone to visit Jerusalem, to strengthen the city and help return a sense of calm and peace to Jerusalem.”

He was of course referring to reports that Tel Aviv City Hall cancelled a school trip to Yerushalayim in response to requests from parents, with the latter expressing fears regarding the deteriorating security in the capital.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)