(JNi.media) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu On Sunday convened a special discussion regarding the continued tensions in Jerusalem. At the outset, Netanyahu said that “stones and Molotov cocktails are lethal weapons, they kill and they have killed, so in recent days we have changed the rules of engagement for police in Jerusalem.” According to the Prime Minister, “This weekend, security forces have already used the new measures under the new directives, and struck the stone throwers and Molotov cocktail throwers.” Netanyahu added that “today we will allow further expansion of the ability of police to act in foiling the throwing of stones and Molotov cocktails. Whomever tries to harm us, we’ll hit him.”
Overnight Police arrested four Palestinians, including two minors, on suspicion of disturbances in Jerusalem. In total, 27 Arabs suspected of throwing stones and petrol bombs in the capital have been arrested.
Late Saturday night, Israeli forces fractured the skull of a stone-throwing 13-year-old Arab with a rubber-coated steel bullet in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of al-Issawiya, medics at al-Maqasid hospital told Ma’an. Witnesses told Ma’an the clashes broke out when police entered the neighborhood with arrest warrants, picking up two young Arabs. Five more Arabs were arrasted, including two minors.
An Israeli police spokesperson Micky Rosenfeld tweeted on Saturday evening: “Police units continue patrolling neighborhoods in Jerusalem to prevent incidents. In Isawiah stones thrown at officers, 7 suspects arrested.”
An IDF officer was injured on Sunday, during stone-throwing riots on the road connecting Tjoa and Har Homa in Gush Etzion, just outside Jerusalem. The officer was evacuated to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem with a possible fracture.
An Arab woman was arrested for questioning Sunday after she attacked police and tried to attack an Israeli civilian near the Chain Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem. At the same time, an Israeli citizen was detained for violating the rules concerning visiting the Temple Mount. Jerusalem District Police said that some 500 visitors have entered the Temple Mount, including 350 tourists.