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Netanyahu’s family involved in installing metal detectors in Jerusalem 2017

The move nearly sparked a new Intifada in Jerusalem

Muslims pray in front of metal detectors placed outside the Temple Mount, in Jerusalem’s Old City, July 16, 2017. (Photo Credit: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Jerusalem24 – It was revealed last night that the family of former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intervened in the issue of installing metal detectors at the entrance to the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The metal detectors which were installed in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem in July 2017. This led to an outbreak of protests and demonstrations by the Palestinians that almost sparked a new intifada.

According to the Israeli news website Ynet, a testimony provided by state witness Nir Hefetz a former media advisor to Netanyahu stated that Netanyahu almost made a decision that could have ended with thousands of deaths.

The website alluded to the metal detectors crisis, a decision Netanyahu made at the behest of his wife Sarah and son Yair.

Senior officials familiar with the decisions told the Israeli website that they had no idea who was behind the scenes. The gates were put in place after killing of two Israeli security officer, prompting the former commissioner of the Israeli police requested the metal detectors.

Nir Hefetz, former spokesman of former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, pictured outside a Jerusalem court house, on November 16, 2021 (Photo Credit: JACK GUEZ / POOL / AFP)

The same sources indicated that after the Palestinian protests, Netanyahu supported the removal of the detectors.  According to Ynet, Hefetz, who was in Netanyahu’s closest circle at the time, knew what was going on behind the scenes.

In May 2018 the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahranot reported that the Israeli police investigators had asked Hefetz to testify about the crisis with Jordan after embassy incident and the metal detectors. At the time, he had said that Netanyahu acted under pressure from his son and wife; contrary to the position of security officials.

Last night, Netanyahu’s Likud party issued a statement denying this information, noting that Hefetz did not participate in any security talks.

Mohammad Hamayel

Ramallah based journalist, Mohammad graduated from Al-Quds University with a B.A. in Media and Television. He has covered the 2015 Jerusalem Intifada as well as the Great March of Return for international media outlets. currently an editor/presenter at Jerusalem24. A UN alumni and a follower of global events and politics, especially American affairs.

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