Police arrest 39 Palestinians accused of throwing rocks, firebombs over 48 hours
No violence reported at Temple Mount and Old City amid heightened security.
By DANIEL K. EISENBUDUpdated: SEPTEMBER 21, 2015 00:48Youth holds stone as Palestinians clash with IDF in the West Bank(photo credit: REUTERS)
Twenty-seven Palestinian suspects accused of throwing rocks and firebombs at officers in flashpoint Arab neighborhoods of east Jerusalem were arrested during an overnight police sweep that started late Saturday night, police said on Sunday.The crackdown brought the total number of arrests over the trailing 48 hours to 39, according to the police.From Friday to Saturday afternoon, 12 Palestinians were arrested for attacking Border Police officers with firebombs in Jebl Mukaber, and rioting in Shuafat, Isawiya, Wadi Joz and Ras el-Amud.Three Border Police officers were badly burned during the Jebl Mukaber firebombing, and were treated at Hadassah University Medical Center in Ein Kerem.Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said that during the hours-long police raid beginning late Saturday night, the 27 suspects, between the ages of 14 and 38, were arrested in the east Jerusalem neighborhoods of Isawiya, Silwan, Jebl Mukaber, and Ras el-Amud.“Police patrols continue to take place in Jerusalem throughout the day,” Rosenfeld said on Sunday. “There were far less incidents reported throughout the day as coordination was made between police ground units and overhead surveillance.”Rosenfeld added that no rioting or attacks were reported on the Temple Mount and in the Old City amid an increased police presence there.“A strong police presence in the Old City prevented any incidents from taking place on the Temple Mount and Old City, and police assessments will continue to be made,” he said.Although no rioting was reported in east Jerusalem, Rosenfeld said an Arab man seen carrying an ax or hammer near the Ramot Mall was arrested Sunday afternoon after witnesses notified police.“Police took no chances whatsoever, and backup units were called in, and the area was cordoned off until the suspect was arrested and questioned,” he said, adding that the man was unarmed at the time of his arrest.
The suspect has been identified as an illegal worker from Hebron, and remains in police custody pending an investigation, he said.Rosenfeld added that police units are coordinating to ensure that no violence takes place during Yom Kippur Tuesday night and Wednesday.“Police are continuing to prevent incidents from taking place by patrolling different areas in Jerusalem and security preparations are underway for Yom Kippur,” he said.
