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Photo: Reuters

Roadblocks removed in East Jerusalem

Security assessemnts lead police to remove roadblocks and checkpoints from certain neighborhoods; everywhere 'quiet is returned, barriers will be removed.'

Police began Wednesday to remove roadblocks in East Jerusalem neighborhoods where relative quiet has returned in recent days. Neighborhoods where riots continue and attackers originate from will retain their barriers.

 

 

Since a closure was announced on East Jerusalem last week there has been a decrease in the amount of attackers coming to the west side of the city, but The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) claims that the closure is collective punishment.

 

A roablock removed to the side. (Photo: ACRI)
A roablock removed to the side. (Photo: ACRI)

 

Wednesday afternoon barriers were removed from the neighborhoods of Wadi Joz and Sheikh Jarrah. These checkpoints were erected last week in the wake of the security cabinet's decision allowing police to impose closures on the exits of neighborhoods according to operational needs.

 

"In light of the quiet that has returned the roadblocks have been removed," Jerusalem police said. "We call on local leadership to demonstrate responsibility and leadership. Everywhere leadership is shown and quiet is returned – barriers will be removed."

 

Police checkpoints are still deployed in neighborhoods such as Jabel Mukaber, Sur Baher and Isawiya, which, according to security assessments, have not yet calmed down and where there remains an operational necessity for them.

Acting Chief of Police Commander Benzi Sau said in a press briefing that he does not "use the term closure. Our mission is to secure the country's citizens. We want to create security circles that eventually will stop those who pose a threat to the citizens in the city center."

 

However, Sau stressed that it was too early to tell if the decrease in violence in Jerusalem in the last week is the result of the security measures taken.

 


פרסום ראשון: 10.21.15, 21:33
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