Police, IDF in Final Preparations for Rosh Hashanah Security

Thousands of IDF soldiers and police will be on alert over the days of Rosh Hashanah, with forces stationed in areas where large groups are expected to congregate, outside shuls, and at the Kosel and around the Old City of Yerushalayim. No specific security alerts have been issued, but a general alert is in force for the entire country. Tens of thousands are expected to visit the Kosel over the holiday. Police will attempt to ensure that tension between Jews and Arabs in the Old City area.

IDF soldiers overnight Motzoei Shabbos seized weapons that were to be used in terror attacks. Soldiers, working with police, discovered a cache of weapons in Chevron and in villages in the area. In a statement, the army said that such weapons were used in terror attacks as well as for criminal activity, and that security forces were determined to seize all weapons that were being held illegally by all people, in order to better protect all Israelis and residents of Palestinian Authority-controlled areas, who are also under threat by terrorists and criminals.

Overnight Motzoei Shabbos, security officials said they had arrested 6 wanted security suspects in Yehudah and Shomron. The suspects were wanted for participating in rioting and throwing stones and firebombs that endangered Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers. Several of the suspects were also charged with belonging to Hamas. All were being questioned on their activities by security forces.