Undercover police seize child throwing stones in Meah Shearim

Footage from Meah Shearim (Photo: Israel Police spokesperson)

Three suspects were arrested Monday in Jerusalem's Meah Shearim neighborhood on suspicion of throwing stones and disturbing public order during a police enforcement operation. One arrest was carried out by plainclothes detectives who caught a minor in the act of hurling stones at officers.

According to the police spokesperson, officers from the Lev HaBirah station and Jerusalem Yasam riot police, working alongside municipal inspectors, conducted an enforcement operation in Meah Shearim. During the operation, Palestinian flags hung in the streets were removed, and graffiti of Palestinian flags sprayed on walls in the public space were erased.

As the operation proceeded, a handful of rioters began throwing stones and objects at the forces. Officers responded with crowd-dispersal measures, and as the forces were leaving the neighborhood, they identified a minor suspect throwing stones at them.

Police arrested the minor using an undercover unit of detectives operating among the rioters. Video released by the police spokesperson shows the moment of arrest, with the plainclothes officers seizing the suspect in the act.

Shortly afterward, near the same location, rioters surrounded a female police officer. Additional police forces quickly arrived at the scene, worked to restore order, and soon located two 16-year-old suspects involved in the incident. Officers arrested both suspects.

All suspects were transferred for further investigation at the police station. At the same time, police forces are conducting searches and both overt and covert investigative operations to locate and arrest additional individuals involved in the attacks and disturbances.

The police spokesperson stated: "Israel Police views with great severity any attempt to harm citizens, police officers, and law enforcement personnel who arrive to carry out their duties. The police will continue to act with determination, a firm hand, and zero tolerance against any lawbreaker who acts violently, disturbs public order, and attempts to harm security forces."