Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz said a proposal to create a “Jerusalem guard” is being considered. Photo: Wikipedia.

JNS.org – A proposal to create a “Jerusalem guard”—a special police force comprising several thousand officers permanently deployed in Israel’s capital—is being considered by the Israeli Diplomatic-Security Cabinet, according to Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz.

Katz said Monday that he presented the plan to the cabinet and expects it to be approved, but at the same time, a senior government official said he believes Katz’s plan had not actually been presented to the cabinet for a vote, Israel Hayom reported.

The proposed force would be subordinate to the Israel Police, which means Katz is infringing on matters that fall under the purview of his political rival within the Likud party, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan (who declined to comment on the matter).

“A mass of force will make a difference. It is known that an ‘elephant is not to be trifled with,’” Katz said.

Katz also recently steered a decision to reinforce security for public transportation in Jerusalem, which included the immediate deployment of 300 soldiers.