Israel Police have completed operational preparations ahead of Sukkos, Chol HaMoed and the traditional Birkas Kohanim gatherings, with hundreds of thousands of visitors, mispallelim and tourists expected in Yerushalayim over the coming week.
Large police forces, Border Police units and volunteers will deploy across the Old City, its alleyways, entertainment hubs, routes leading to the Kosel and public parks. The operational framework, built over recent weeks under Jerusalem District Commander Superintendent Avshalom Peled, includes visible and covert activity to secure the public, maintain order and direct traffic.
At the centre of the effort, police are preparing to secure the hundreds of thousands expected at Birkas Kohanim in the Kosel plaza, scheduled for Monday and Thursday during Chol HaMoed.
Due to anticipated congestion, significant traffic changes will take effect. Starting Sunday, all routes leading to the Kosel and the Old City will be closed to private vehicles, including Sultan Suleiman Street, Rockefeller Junction, Gat Shmanim Junction, Derech HaOfel and Maaleh HaShalom. Travel on these routes will be permitted only for public transport and local residents. Additionally, depending on congestion levels, Yitzhak Kariv and Hativat Yerushalayim streets may be closed intermittently.
