In light of the worrisome escalations in rock-throwing and firebomb attacks in Yerushalayim and on the Jerusalem-Modi’in Highway (Route 443), Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Tzom Gedalyah was given a security tour of the capital and 443. The prime minister also visited Viner Street in the Armon HaNatziv neighborhood in the southeastern capital, the site of the fatal rock-throwing attack on Rosh Hashanah that claimed the life of Alexander Levlovitz HY”D.

Among those accompanying the prime minister were Acting Police Commissioners Bentzi Sau, Jerusalem Police Chief Moshe Edri, and Jerusalem Border Police Chief Yizhar Peled.

The prime minister announced a change in policy regarding rock-throwing attacks, announcing soldiers and police will be given the tools to act against persons throwing rocks and firebombs.

PM Netanyahu said “We are changing policy. The present situation is unacceptable and we intend to give soldiers and police officers provide the tools necessary to act very firmly against those who throw stones and firebombs. The stone does not distinguish between a car hit here, in which an Israeli citizen was killed, and a rock thrown within the Green Line. We are also going to adopt changes in the rules of engagement and for minimum sentences on those who throw stones and firebombs. In addition, we will massively increase fines for minors and their families to create deterrence there as well. In the State of Israel these phenomena are intolerable, and I’m not just talking about the roads to Jerusalem or about Jerusalem itself, I am talking about the Galil and the Negev as well. We are changing our policy to war on those who throw rocks and firebombs.”

Regarding Har Habayis PM Netanyahu added “We are in favor of strictly maintaining the status quo on Har Habayis. The status quo is upset constantly by agitators and rioters who barricade themselves on Har Habayis and harass worshipers, or, more precisely, the Jewish visitors. This is also unacceptable to us. We are dealing with this, in cooperation and dialogue with Jordan, and not just with them.”

On the spot where Alexander Levlovitz was killed, Prime Minister Netanyahu added “Here, in the heart of Jerusalem, at a traffic island on a main road, a thug and criminal stands here, on a traffic island, takes a stone and throws again and again at the windshields of cars of Jerusalem residents until he manages to cause death – it did not kill, it murdered. This stone is one too many. We are declaring war on those who throw stones and bottles, and rioters.”

A special Knesset session will be held on Monday 8 Tishrei after the Yesh Atid opposition party gathered the required 25 signatures to compel the meeting during the Tishrei recess to discuss the loss of the sense of security for Israelis and the sharp increase in attacks in Jerusalem.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)