JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel began erecting a portable concrete security wall between Arab and Jewish neighborhoods in eastern Jerusalem.
The fence was erected Sunday between the Arab neighborhood of Jabel Mukaber and the Jewish neighborhood of East Talpiot because of Arab youths throwing rocks and firebombs. The concrete blocks resemble part of the West Bank security barrier.
East Talpiot was the site of a stoning attack on a car that killed its Jewish driver on Rosh Hashanah eve, as well as a shooting and stabbing attack on a bus last week that left two Jewish-Israeli men dead. Several homes in the neighborhood also have been hit with firebombs.
Also Sunday, at least four Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, banned Arab workers from working in local schools while school was in session. Arab-Israeli cleaners and maintenance workers reportedly will be allowed to do their jobs in school buildings after students have left for the day, Reuters reported.
The other cities that have enacted the ban are Modiin-Maccabim-Reut, Rehovot and Hod HaSharon, all in central Israel.
