Despite tensions running high in Jerusalem, the second Friday of the holy month of Ramadan passed without incident, with tens of thousands of Muslim worshipers visiting the Temple Mount mosques.
Starting early Friday, thousands of police officers and volunteers deployed throughout east Jerusalem, including the alleys of the Old City, Arab residential neighborhoods, and Jerusalem-adjacent Arab villages.
Early Friday afternoon, Jerusalem District Police Commander Maj. Gen. Yoram Halevy, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, and Deputy Police Commissioner Maj. Gen. Zohar Dvir joined field commanders for a security overview at the Western Wall.
Erdan said that the security establishment had no specific intelligence about plans to carry out terrorist attacks during Ramadan.
"We're seeing a drop in the level on incitement on social media. Still, we're living in a time of lone wolf terrorism, such as the attack last year in which two border policemen were murdered, so [security] in Jerusalem is reinforced," Erdan said.
Halevy said: "We're working to maintain quiet, calm, and order in the city as a whole and especially the Old City. Our main goal is always to allow all residents of the city to go on with their lives, to maintain the daily routine in east and west Jerusalem."
"Our mission is to allow prayers to be held as usual and make it possible for worshippers to reach the Temple Mount while ensuring that no groups exploit the prayers for terrorist activity or to create a public disturbance," Halevy said.
