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Photo: Mati Amar/TPS
Metal detectors
Photo: Mati Amar/TPS

PM to consult with advisors over metal detectors at Temple Mount

Returning from his trip to Europe, Netanyahu forced to decide between leaving metal detectors on Temple Mount and deal with looming riots, or remove them in bid to abate escalating violence; Bennett: 'Don't fold.'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet with his senior security advisors upon his return from Europe Thursday to discuss whether or not to remove metal detectors that were installed at the entrance to the Temple Mount in response to last Friday's deadly terror attack.

 

 

Their installation has unleashed a ferocious cycle of protests and riots staged by Muslim worshippers outside the compound which is sacred to Muslims, Jews and Christians, and many have refused to be checked upon entry.

 

With the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf—which manages the site—announcing its intention to close all mosques in east Jerusalem in a move apparently intended to whip up further hysteria by forcing thousands of Muslims from east Jerusalem to join the protests, the matter risks rapidly spiralling out of control.

 

Photo: TPS
Photo: TPS

 

The anger, which has been manifested by non-stop clashes with Israeli security personnel and Muslims, has escalated to such levels that even the White House issued a statement saying it was ‘very concerned’ and urged both Jordan and Israel to work together to bring about a peaceful resolution to the matter.

 

The Shin Bet has already voiced its willingness to remove the detectors, citing the risk they pose of inflaming an already enraged population. Additionally, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) and the IDF also agree that a compromise could be struck that would cater for Israel’s security needs—namely the prevention of smuggling weapons into the compound as happened in Friday’s attack. Simple selective body searches, they say, would suffice to meet such requirements.

 

At the other end of the spectrum is the police and Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, who have urged the prime minister not to backtrack on the matter, insisting that “there is no other way to ensure effective checks so weapons don’t get into the (Temple) Mount.”

 

For the time being, Netanyahu has remained steadfast on his decision, refusing to give way to pressure from various Arab states and claims that he is changing the status quo on the management of the compound.

 

“At the moment there is no change. There have been consultations, but no other decision has been taken thus far,” the prime minister said. “There will be further consultation upon which I cannot elaborate. We want to solve this crisis in the quietest possible way.”

 

Other senior ministers such as Education Minister Naftali Bennett (Bayit Yehudi) attempted to apply pressure on Netanyahu to keep the detectors in place. Sports and Culture Minister Miri Regev (Likud) also exhorted the prime minister not to surrender to the demands of the Muslim worshippers.

 

“In Mecca there are metal detectors, in the Knesset there are metal detectors, at the Kotel there are metal detectors. The Waqf’s demands not to have them is hypocritical,” Bennett wrote on his social media.

 

Photo: Gil Yohanan
Photo: Gil Yohanan

 

“Folding now in the face of Palestinian pressure will harm Israel’s deterrence power, and will endanger the lives of visitors, worshippers and policemen on the Temple Mount. Do not fold,” he urged.

 

Regev came out in defense of the prime minister, describing rumors that the prime minister is intending to fold and remove the detectors as “lies.”

 

Similarly, the Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement saying: “To present the facts as if the prime minister is convening consultations to remove the metal detectors is a distortion of the truth.”

 

According to various officials, other measures are being considered as a replacement for the metal detectors, which would include selective security checks upon entrance to the compound according to criteria such as age groups and gender.

 

Photo: Gil Yohanan
Photo: Gil Yohanan

 

Another option currently being weighed is that the metal detectors remain in place but are operated by international forces, either exclusively or with Israeli personnel. Israel is also said to be willing to remove the metal detectors entirely on condition that cameras are installed inside the compound—a measure that was supposed to be implemented months ago following an agreement between Israel and Jordan but which was ultimately thrown out by the Waqf.

 

According to findings of an investigation into last Friday’s attack, the three terrorists involved made their way to Jerusalem with the weapons used. Metal detectors at the entrance of the Temple Mount are meant to thwart attempts to bring weapons to the holy site. However, the number of Muslim worshipers entering the compound, particularly for Friday prayers, does not allow for thorough checks and the prevention of weapon smuggling.

 

On the other hand, the cameras already installed around the compound allow for the identification of suspects or recognition of suspicious behaviour.

 

Processing of the images—which allows identification of suspicious behavior—can provide real warning to the forces in real time

 


פרסום ראשון: 07.20.17, 16:16
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