Are you preparing for a Capitol Hill-style scenario in the elections? "Yes. We have these scenarios, and we conducted drills twice"
Jerusalem District Commander Superintendent Avshalom Peled gives an interview to ynet, describing the complex security challenges in the city, with a focus on the Temple Mount as the central strategic arena. Peled discusses the eroded status quo, the easing of Jewish prayers on the mount, relations with Minister Ben Gvir, and preparations for extreme scenarios such as a storming of government institutions. He clarifies that he is not at ease even when the city is quiet, and warns of "a silence that creates monsters."
Superintendent Avshalom Peled, Jerusalem District Commander, gives an extensive interview to ynet, presenting a complex security situation. In the comprehensive interview, Peled describes the Temple Mount as the district's central strategic arena, alongside the Jerusalem envelope, and explains that these are the only two arenas that can affect the entire country. He confirms that the police are preparing for extreme scenarios, including a scenario resembling the storming of the US Capitol, and that two drills have already been conducted on the subject. Peled addresses the status quo on the Temple Mount and claims it has been consistently eroded by the Waqf, mentioning the Solomon's Stables affair. He confirms that a pilot was conducted to introduce prayer books to the mount, at the request of Minister Ben Gvir's circle, and that the conclusion was that the move "didn't make a fuss." However, he currently rejects requests to bring in prayer shawls and phylacteries. Peled clarifies that he maintains balances and that opening the mount to prayers on Shabbat is a precedent beyond his authority. He describes his relations with Minister Ben Gvir, rejecting the label "Ben Gvir's associate," and emphasizes that he acts based on professional considerations. Peled reiterates that he is never at ease, and that the apparent quiet in the city is deceptive and dangerous, as turmoil may be brewing beneath the surface. He declares that he will not have a personal October 7th.