Netanyahu stands on red line
Jerusalem holy site violence toll hits 8 Israel says mosque metal detectors to remain
Jerusalem, July 23: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced mounting pressure on Sunday over new security measures at a sensitive Jerusalem holy site after a weekend of violence left eight people dead with fears of further unrest.
Israeli officials signalled they may be open to changing the measures at the Haram al-Sharif mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, after metal detectors were installed at entrances following an attack that killed two policemen.
Mr Netanyahu was also holding a Cabinet meeting and was due to meet his security Cabinet later. “We are receiving from them an up-to-date picture of the situation as well as recommendations for action, and we will decide accordingly,” he said.
Israeli Major General Yoav Mordechai, head of Cogat, the defence ministry agency responsible for civilian affairs in the Palestinian territories, signalled changes to the policy were possible. “We are examining other options and alternatives that will ensure security,” he said in an interview with Al-Jazeera. “The only thing we want is to ensure no one can enter with weapons again and carry out another attack.”
But Tzachi Hanegbi, minister for regional development and a senior member of the ruling Likud party, said. “They (metal detectors) will remain. The murderers will never tell us how to search the murderers, he told Israel’s Army Radio. “If they (Palestinians) do not want to enter the mosque, then let them not enter the mosque.” Israel also installed new security cameras at the entrance to the mosque.
The mufti of Jerusalem, Sheikh Muhammad Hussein, told the Voice of Palestine that he demands a complete return to procedures that were in place before the initial attack at the shrine. In a statement on Sunday, the Islamic institutions in Jerusalem, of which he is a part, said they “affirm the categorical rejection of the electronic gates and all the measures of occupation”.
Pope Francis said that he was alarmed by the violence. “I am following with trepidation the grave tension and violence of recent days in Jerusalem. I feel the need to express a heartfelt call for moderation and dialogue,” he said.