Danino: Mass protests likely following Palestinian UN bid
Israel police chief says protests in Israeli territory to be expected, police have been instructed to act as they had with tent activists.
By YAAKOV LAPPINYonchanon Danino(photo credit: Courtesy of Israel Police )
Israel Police Chief Insp.-Gen. Yochanan Danino said Monday that events surrounding the September 20 Palestinian statehood recognition bid at the UN could be "explosive," and said that the police had to be prepared for mass protests that might break out as a result.Speaking at the 11th Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya at the World Summit on Counter-Terrorism, the police chief said that recent cross-border terror attacks in southern Israel that resulted in the deaths of eight Israelis were a kind of preparation for the potential events facing police later this month.RELATED:'Palestinian UN statehood bid popular in Europe' EU foreign ministers to meet on PA statehood bid
He said that police expected mass demonstrations following the Palestinian state recognition that would likely take place in Israeli territories and would include Israeli residents.Danino added that police have been instructed to treat protesters no differently than those who had engaged in social protests and tent demonstrations this past summer."Police have been instructed to behave in protests in the same manner that they behaved with tent activists, with patience, sensitivity, and encouraging dialogue so as to prevent a deteriorating situation," Danino said, but warned that any violation of law and order or violence will be dealt with immediately and without compromise.Click for full Jpost coverage
