This morning (Wednesday), officers from the Jerusalem District's Lev HaBirah station located illegal Arab residents within the Mea Shearim neighborhood. The police arrived to arrest the individuals, and in response, a handful of residents gathered and began to disturb the peace in an attempt to thwart the police action, putting the officers’ safety at risk.
Those disrupting the order threw objects, stones, and bottles at the police, prompting the call for additional forces to ensure the arrests and transfer of the identified illegal residents for investigation.
It is worth noting that this is not the first time in recent weeks that Jerusalem police have encountered Palestinians illegally residing in this neighborhood. The police emphasized that this poses a criminal and security risk to both local residents and Jerusalem as a whole. They added, "This is a reprehensible behavior from that small group of disruptors trying to 'normalize' the crime of allowing the entry, employment, and housing of those restricted from entering Israeli territory."
Indictment Against a Central Resident: Transporting Illegal Residents to Jerusalem
Just yesterday, the Jerusalem District Prosecution Unit filed an indictment and requested to detain a central Israel resident in his 40s until the conclusion of proceedings. He was arrested for transporting seven Palestinian illegal residents in his vehicle near Jerusalem.
The incident began on Monday afternoon when a security officer from the Yehuda Regional Police noticed a suspicious vehicle while driving in the area of the settlement of Aura. The officer observed several passengers in the back of the vehicle. Despite the officer’s demand for the driver to stop for inspection, the suspect attempted to flee, speeding away. Even after the vehicle was stopped at a red light, the officer approached the driver and instructed him to turn off the engine. The suspect took advantage of the traffic light turning green and sped off again.
At one point, the suspect stopped the vehicle, opened the passenger door, and yelled for his passengers to exit. The security officer prevented them from doing so, and with assistance from officers of the Moriah station in the Zion area, it was determined that the individuals were illegal residents from the West Bank. They, along with the driver, were arrested and taken for questioning.
In a swift process, the Jerusalem District Prosecution Unit filed the indictment against the driver for transporting illegal residents.
The police stated: "We will continue to act vigorously against the infiltration of illegal residents into Israel, locating them and pursuing their investigations. Additionally, we will act decisively against those who assist them in order to enforce the law against them and against those illegal residents, who are often involved in criminal activities during their stay in the area and sometimes even in security offenses. All of these pose a risk to the security, safety, and property of the public."
