BICOM

The Israeli Prime Minister has defended his decision to remove the security measures placed at the entrances to the Temple Mount, calling it a difficult choice but one made judiciously.

Speaking ahead of yesterday’s weekly cabinet meeting, Benjamin Netanyahu said: “I know that the decision that we made to remove the security measures was a difficult one. However, as Prime Minister of Israel, as the one who carries the security of Israel on his shoulders, it is my duty to make decisions calmly and in an informed manner.”

“I make these decisions while looking at the wider picture, with a broad view of the challenges and threats that we are facing, some of which the wider public are not aware of and which I cannot detail,” he said.

Netanyahu also announced that he authorised the reinforcement of security forces on the holy site and throughout the Old City, as well as reiterating the cabinet’s decision to approve a budget of up to £24m to develop and purchase new technology that will create new security solutions for the Old City.

Netanyahu and the security services came under intense criticism from senior Israeli politicians for the handling of the Temple Mount crisis. David Bitan, Likud MK and coalition chairman, accused the Shin Bet of “cowardice” for pushing for the removal of metal detectors.

Netanyahu and Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman have both spoken out in defence of the security agency.

On behalf of all Israel’s citizens, Netanyahu thanked Israel’s security forces “who work day and night to protect all of us, and I greatly appreciate their work and their deep dedication to the security of Israel”.

Speaking on Saturday night, Lieberman said: “The Shin Bet stops and prevents terrorism all the time.”

He added: “Those who deal with security must understand that it is impossible to deal simultaneously with primaries, public opinion and security; one must reach the correct decisions.”

Despite the calming situation in the West Bank following the removal of the extra security measures, one Palestinian was killed when he ran towards soldiers wielding a knife at the Etzion block junction, south of Jerusalem. Another Palestinian was shot on the border with the Gaza Strip after a group of people approached the fence, throwing rocks and setting fire to tires.