The Temple Mount. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

JERUSALEM – In light of the recent escalation of violence in Israel’s capital, the Jerusalem police are taking measures to preserve stability and order.

“Police units are in and around the Old City – both inside the Muslim Quarter and the Jewish Quarter, and the different Israeli-Arab neighborhoods,” Police Superintendent Micky Rosenfeld told Tazpit News Agency. “We have stepped up patrols in order to prevent incidents.”

The Israeli police also made some arrests earlier this week. “There was a suspect who was arrested [Tuesday] morning for throwing stones at a nearby bus that was driving on Sultan Suleiman, and there were two women who were arrested for shouting ‘Allahu Akbar!’ and trying to attack Israelis that were walking in the Old City,” Rosenfeld told Tazpit.

Tensions were further exacerbated on the Temple Mount when Arab Member of Knesset Jamal Zahalka visited the site. In a viral video, the Arab MK can be seen and heard yelling at Jewish visitors. At one point, MK Zahalka tells the policeman standing between him and the group of Jewish visitors, “why are you letting them in? It’s a disgrace, only to hurt Muslims’ feelings. This is not yours, get out of here, go home, you’re not wanted.”