Quiet return to the capital Thursday following the riots that accompanied the funeral of Rabbi Meir Kahane but police continued to keep a high profile.
Large forces of policemen were deployed sensitive points throughout the city, including Old City, the Temple Mount and neighborhood between East and West Jerusalem, in order prevent intercommunal riots.
Police commanders were determined prevent a repetition of Wednesday’s riots, which ended with two policemen and four Arabs wounded. Two of the Arabs were stabbed, and one remained in a hospital suffering moderate wounds. The other were sent home.
Police decided to leave the reinforcements in the capital at least until the end of the week, and possibly extend their stay if necessary.
Besides the public order, police were also concerned for the safety of Arab personalities, leaders of the political left and representatives of the media.
Rahamim Comfort, commander of the Southern Police Command, announced Thursday that the necessary steps were taken to ensure the personal safety of those who had been threatened by Kahane’s supporters, but he would not elaborate.
It was learned, however, that police patrols near the homes of Palestinian leaders such as Faisal Husseini in East Jerusalem were also intensified.
Shots were fired Wednesday night near the residence of Ibrahim Nimer Hussein, the mayor of the Galilee town of Shfaram, who also serves as the chairman of the Arab municipalities. No one was hurt, and no damage was caused.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
