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Security cabinet approves new measures to combat violence

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Following a marathon meeting yesterday, Israel’s security cabinet approved a number of new measures designed to help quell the current wave of violent attacks.

The 10-person body convened at 3.30pm and continued late into the evening, in the wake of four attacks yesterday morning, which left three Israelis dead and dozens injured. The security cabinet announced that it had approved a number of measures. IDF soldiers will be deployed within cities and along major routes considered to be flashpoints for tension, in order to reinforce the police presence. An extra 300 security personnel will be recruited to secure Jerusalem’s transport system, which has seen a number of attacks during the past two weeks.

The security cabinet also said that within Jerusalem, police will be permitted to “impose a closure on, or to surround, centres of friction and incitement … in accordance with security considerations.” Many of the recent attacks, including all four of yesterday’s incidents have been perpetrated by Arab East Jerusalem residents, who are permitted to move freely throughout Israel.

The security cabinet also resolved that East Jerusalem residents involved in terror attacks will have their permanent resident status revoked. The destruction of terrorists’ homes will also be expedited and the assets of terrorists will be seized. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Knesset yesterday that such measures were designed to clearly demonstrate that “terror doesn’t pay.” He also warned that, “Anyone who raises a hand to harm us will pay dearly. We will not hesitate to use all means at our disposal to restore peace to the cities of Israel.”

Netanyahu also took aim at Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas and appealed to him to stop inciting violence and instead “fight the extremists who are causing civilians to pay the highest price.” He also called on Israel’s Arab population not to be “misled” by incitement, underscoring that, “We live together, we believe in co-existence.” The security cabinet is set to announce additional measures against incitement later today.