The nation is putting its final touches on its Rosh Hashanah plans and Israel 'spolice is also making final preparations – with a special holiday alertness level that began over the weekend and will continue until after the Simchat Torah holiday in three weeks.
Thousands of policemen, Border Guard officers and volunteers will be stationed at main traffic routes, entrances to cities, along the 67 lines, at shopping hubs, tourism sites and synagogues.
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DefenseMinister Ehud Barak made a surprise decision to not impose a closure on the West Bank over the holiday, in contrast to previous holidays in the last few years.
Police near Carmel market in Tel Aviv (Photo: Moti Kimchi)
The decision was taken in coordination with a situation assessment carried out by GOC Central Command and Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories. Palestinians will have freedom of movement on West Bank roads between Palestinian cities and villages.
"We realize that we have a succession of holidays and events that necessitate special preparation especially when taking the occurrences around us into consideration," said Police Commander Nissim Mor. "The policemen will be everywhere in order to provide a sense of security and keep guard over the public – in parks, gardens and beaches."
Last Thursday Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch held a meeting with senior police officials and raised the issue of the Muslim protests that broke out over the anti-Islam movie.
At the meeting, Aharonovitch stressed the importance of increased awareness at Friday prayers on the Temple Mount and at foreign consulates and embassies.