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Netanyahu issues Rosh Hashanah crackdown


In the wake of clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians on the eve of the Jewish new year holiday of Rosh Hashanah, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during an emergency meeting Tuesday that the government would use all necessary force to keep attacks at bay.

“We will use all necessary measures to fight against those who throw stones, firebombs, pipe bombs and fireworks in order to attack civilians and police,” Netanyahu said at the meeting, as reported on his Facebook page.

“On the eve of the holiday, it was again proven that throwing stones can kill,” Netanyahu said. “Such actions will be met with very sharp punitive and preventive responses. We will lead systemic changes and will lead a new standard of deterrence and prevention.”

Netanyahu said rioters would not be allowed to prevent people from visiting Temple Mount, an important religious site in the old city of Jerusalem. It is believed to be the site where God gathered dust to create Adam. Rioters have clashed with Israeli police there over the last several days.

Several Israeli civilians and police were hurt in attacks by Palestinians, including one Israeli man who died Monday after Palestinians threw rocks at his car.

Additionally, protesters who holed up inside the Al-Aqsa mosque and holy site threw rocks, fireworks, concrete blocks and fireworks at police.

Omar Kiswani, mosque director, blamed police for the tension. Azzam Khatib, director of the Islamic religious authority that oversees the site, said police entered deep inside the mosque, causing a “dangerous” situation.

Muslims believe such visits are a provocation and say Jewish extremists are trying to take over the site.

During the emergency meeting, Netanyahu outlined several changes areas that would be studied, including orders to open fire, minimum sentences and fines imposed on minors and parents after they commit offenses.

Contributing: Associated Press