Israel Police to Present New Open-fire Regulations Against Stone-throwers
Prime Minister Netanyahu to convene meeting Sunday to discuss escalating Jerusalem violence; proposal makes distinction between demonstrations and 'popular terrorism.'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene another meeting Sunday to discuss the escalating violence in Jerusalem. During the meeting, Israeli Police will present their draft proposal for harsher open-fire regulations against stone- and fire bomb-throwers in East Jerusalem and within Israel proper.
- Netanyahu convenes 'emergency session' on escalating violence
- An urban intifada is underway in Jerusalem - and Israeli officials don't know what to do
- Netanyahu asks attorney general to authorize sniper fire against stone-throwers
The Prime Minister's Office said that the draft for new open-fire regulations had been agreed with Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein. According to the proposal, police forces will be authorized to use live bullets during events that pose a danger to civilians, as well as against assailants who throw rocks and fire bombs.
The draft makes a distinction between open-fire regulations during protests and those during events termed "popular terrorism." A senior official at the Prime Minister's Office said that the Attorney General authorized police use of Ruger rifles in East Jerusalem. "As a result, some law-breakers have already been hurt by the less-lethal Ruger rifle," the official said.
The participants in Sunday's meeting will include Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked and Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz. Other participants will include the Attorney General and senior officials from the State Prosecutor's Office and the security establishment.
At the meeting, the police are expected to present their operational plan for tackling the escalating violence in Jerusalem. It will include steps such as deploying special police forces in Jerusalem for the forseeable future, bolstering the forces in East Jerusalem neighborhoods and continuing the intelligence and investigation work of a special Israel Police-Shin Bet task force.
In addition, the Justice Department has distributed a preliminary draft bill that will impose fines on the parents of minors who throw rocks or fire bombs. The government, meanwhile, intends to push ahead with legislation for minimum sentences on those who throw rocks, fire bombs or fire crackers.