Israel is to install five new police stations in al-Quds

Israeli officials say five new police stations will be opened in the occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds despite international bans.

Gilad Erdan, a member of the Israeli cabinet, claimed Wednesday that the new stations will be installed to fill the gap between policing in western and eastern parts of the occupied Palestinian city.

“Over the years, a large gap has opened between the western and eastern parts of the city in terms of policing,” said Erdan, adding that Israel wants to erect the posts to exercise in full its long-disputed control over East Jerusalem al-Quds.

He said some 1,200 new police officers will be hired as part of a four-year plan that includes the construction of the five posts.

East Jerusalem al-Quds was occupied in 1967 and Israel later annexed it heedless of international condemnations.

The Palestinian Authority, which administers the occupied West Bank, views the city as the capital of its future state. Palestinians have also resisted numerous Israeli plans for exerting full control over the territory with the most recent one being an alleged move to change the status quo of al-Aqsa Mosque, a move which triggered clashes last October. More than 210 Palestinians, over 30 Israelis, and a number of foreigners have been killed in the violence since then.

A spokesman for the Israeli military later provided details about the new police stations. Luba Samri said the stations will be installed in Ras al-Amud, Jabal Mukaber, Silwan, Issawiya and Sur Baher, five neighborhoods with most recorded cases of clashes between the Palestinians and the Israelis over the past months.

Reports said the plan is being enforced despite the unwillingness of the Israeli forces to be deployed to the area.

Police official, Yuval Ben Ami, said some 200 officers had been recruited so far, but admitted that there were problems hiring officers “because some do not want to be deployed in the neighborhoods.” He said police seek to increase salaries as a draw.

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