Open Spaces to Get Security Upgrade After Sarona Attack

YERUSHALAYIM
The site of the Sarona Market terror attack last June where terrorists killed four and wounded six people. (Ben Kelmer/Flash90)
The site of the Sarona Market terror attack last June where terrorists killed four and wounded six people. (Ben Kelmer/Flash90)

In the wake of the recent terror attacks in the Sarona Market in Tel Aviv and in Nice, France, security officials say they will beef up security in Israel’s public spaces.

Unlike the rail and bus stations, shopping malls and government buildings, open plazas and promenades have not been so closely guarded. But that will now change, according to a spokesman for Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan.

After the Sarona incident in June in which a gunman carried out a deadly attack in an unguarded restaurant after encountering security at the mall, Erdan set up a committee to study the problem of Israel’s vulnerable spots.

The committee recommended legislation to require security certification from the police for every compound that contains at least 10 businesses and an area of at least 3,000 square feet.

Likely sites for the upgrade include the busy Tel Aviv harbor promenade, Machaneh Yehudah market in Yerushalayim, and a complex of hotels on the Dead Sea shore where a pilot program will be launched.

The plan calls for concentric security “circles.” The outer circle rings the compound with alarm systems, CCTV, checkpoints and armed patrols.

The inner circle will have a control room in continuous operation that will collect data from the site and be in constant contact with local police. The room is to be headed by a specially appointed security official.

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