TEL AVIV – Two days after the Jerusalem terror attack in which a bus exploded, police said on Wednesday that they are being hyper-vigilant against any threats when tens of thousands of Jews and Christians come to the capital over the Passover festival starting Friday.
Over 3,500 police officers from a range of units will be deployed throughout the capital, with an emphasis on the Old City, where large-scale ceremonies will be held, the Jerusalem Post reported.
The Ceremony of the Holy Fire in the Christian Quarter and Judaism’s Priestly Blessing (Birkat Kohanim) service at the Western Wall always attract tens of thousands of visitors to the city.
Extra police officers from units including Counterterrorism, Undercover, and Special Patrol will be deployed.
“Israel Police have carried out security assessments for the Passover festival, and heightened security will continue throughout the country, with an emphasis on Jerusalem, where thousands of people are expected to come to visit the Old City and Western Wall,” said Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld.
“Security measures will also continue throughout next week, with emphasis on Birkat Kohanim, which will take place early next week, and during the Ceremony of the Holy Fire in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where units will be mobilized throughout the festival.”
“After this week’s terrorist attack in Jerusalem, police are taking no chances whatsoever, and all necessary security arrangements are being made and implemented on the ground,” he added.
The explosion on the number 12 bus injured 21 people and set another bus and passing car on fire. Rosenfeld said investigations into the bomb are still underway although a gag order has prevented further details from being released.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday night vowed to “find whoever prepared this explosive device.”
“We’ll settle the score with these terrorists,” he said.
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