Jerusalem–The Internal Affairs Committee discussed the tension in recent weeks in Jerusalem with Police Commissioner Yohanan Danino and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat. During the hearing, held last week, the Police Commissioner called on the media not to cause a public panic because of the tense situation in the Israeli capital city.

Danino said the police will provide security to anyone who comes to visit Jerusalem and spoke out against what he termed the inflammatory language in the media about a new intifada in Jerusalem: “There is a significant decrease in the riots following police reinforcements,” he said. He criticized the use of expressions such as the intifada, claiming that they “did not contribute to anything” and declared, “We will act decisively to allow Jews to ascend to the Temple Mount.”

“Apart from scaring the public, these statements do not contribute a thing. At this time, it is important and correct that Israeli citizens come to Jerusalem. Enough scaring the public with all these sentences and headlines; we will not compromise the safety of our citizens throughout the country and in the Israeli capital city.”

According to Danino, the Jerusalem region has been reinforced with thousands of police officers since attacks began in recent weeks and the number of riots has declined: “Already you can see that there is a big drop in riots and stone throwing.” The Police Commissioner seeks to maintain the status quo in Jerusalem and views the attempted assassination of Yehuda Glick to be a red line that was crossed: “We must make clear that we are not ready to absorb such events as this brutal act of terrorism.”

By Rachel Avraham/www.jerusalemonline.com