Israeli Border Police officers. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

JERUSALEM – Against the backdrop of a surge in terror attacks across Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked security officials to expand police presence throughout the country, Israel Police foreign press spokesman Chief Superintendent Micky Rosenfeld told Tazpit.

So far, Netanyahu has authorized the mobilization of 13 additional Border Police units to the three already mobilized.

“The decision was made in order to tighten and boost up security, both in Israeli-Arab neighborhoods and in the Old City,” Rosenfeld said. “That’s a precaution being taken to prevent further attacks from taking place.”

“Search teams will be in and around Jerusalem and other areas to carry out security measures, step up patrols and to respond in vital spots,” Rosenfeld said, adding that a total of 3,500 police officers have been deployed throughout Jerusalem.

Rosenfeld also stressed that only non-lethal weapons were used by police in the containment of public disturbances over the weekend. “This was to disperse rioters, mainly in Nazareth, where we had to deal with that,” he said.