Police: Celebrate Independence Day – despite alerts
Security forces on high alert from eve of Memorial Day until end of Independence Day celebrations. ‘This year there a many more warnings than last year,’ police chief says
As on all holidays and special occasions over the past few years, when Israel marks Memorial Day and Independence Day this year, police will be on highest alert across the country and will deploy in increased numbers throughout cities, along the boundary line and around Jerusalem. The alert will last from the early morning hours until Thursday evening.
The security establishment has 85 general alerts on terrorist groups’ intentions to carry out attacks within Israel, 18 of which are specific warnings. Most of the warnings are regarding Islamic Jihad and Tanzim operatives in the Samaria West Bank region.
On Monday evening memorial ceremonies for soldiers that fell in Israel’s battles will open across the country with the observation of a moment of silence. Tuesday many Israelis will visit cemeteries where their loved ones are buried.
“We are going onto a higher alert level – the IDF, Border Guard, police an volunteers,” Police Operations Commander Bertie Ohayon said Monday. “Police will be on highest alert until Independence Day is over. Tomorrow we will evaluate the situation again and if need be we’ll call an emergency alert – the highest level that exists.”
'Many more warnings than last year'
The general closure imposed on Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip since the eve of Purim in early March will last at least until Independence Day is over. Cmdr. Ohayon noted that “the boundary line and locating illegal residents will be emphasized. Security activity will be in the framework of rings of deployment around the boundary line and entryways to cities. On the eve of Memorial Day there will be a large security presence at commemoration events. On Tuesday forces will concentrate around cemeteries, with the highest level of alert around 11:00 a.m. On the eve of Independence Day we’ll secure entertainment stages, places where crowds congregate, entertainment venues and picnic sites.”
“This year there are many more warnings than last year, with the emphasis being on Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa and the boundary line,” Ohayon added.
Despite the warnings, Ohayon urged citizens to go out and celebrate on Independence Day. “We didn’t hold back on deploying man power. There will be a lot of forces so that Israeli citizens can continue with their routines and celebrate Independence Day,” he said.
