Preparing for any scenario: Security preparedness for the events of the Holocaust Forum

The arrival of more than 40 world leaders to the Holocaust Forum has raised concerns that terrorist organizations will try to generate resonance. Although there are no targeted warnings, the alert has been raised, among other things, in the air defense system and in the USSR. At the same time, 11,000 police officers will secure the events and roads will be blocked from Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem

Preparing for any scenario: Security preparedness for the events of the Holocaust Forum

After the events of the International Holocaust Forum were officially opened on Wednesday evening, the defense establishment is vigilant in light of the visit of more than 40 international leaders - presidents, prime ministers, kings, princes and parliamentarians, who will attend the main event at Yad Vashem tomorrow. In addition to the dozens of leaders who have already arrived in Israel and took part in a festive meal at the President's House, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Vice President Mike Pence are expected to land in Israel tomorrow.

Although there are no targeted warnings, these are politically and security-tense days, and terrorist organizations are able to carry out attacks and even launch rockets at Israel to generate international resonance. This is especially so when Iran - which operates its affiliates across the Middle East through financing terrorist activities - is still seeking revenge on Quds Force commander Qassem Suleimani in a US attack on Iraq.

Iran is believed to be pressuring Islamic Jihad headquarters to carry out an attack from the Gaza Strip, or at all. Accordingly, the IDF made security adjustments in the air and in the ground, with the aim of raising the level of readiness for various scenarios, with emphasis on the air defense system.

More about the International Holocaust Forum:

Police and Border Police officers in preparation for Holocaust forum (Photo: Israel Police spokeswoman)

Police and Border Police activity in the framework of World Holocaust Forum events, January 22, 2020 (Photo: Israel Police spokeswoman)

Only today, Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi visited the Gaza Division and met with fighters and commanders to commend them for thwarting the penetration attack that occurred last night. For suspicious events and report them to the various Brigadiers, with emphasis on the friction points and the Jerusalem environment.

Police have also been intensifying forces for the international event by closing roads from Ben Gurion Airport to the entrance to Jerusalem, including the deployment of Border Fighters and police personnel throughout. In total, 11,000 police officers take part in the security of the events. The arrival of the Russian President and Vice President of the United States, in just half an hour, requires a particularly high level of security, as do dozens of delegations to Yad Vashem. At the same time, police are also preparing for the possibility of demonstrations or other attempts to violate the order.

Dozens of Leaders in Holocaust Forum Opening Feast: "United Against Anti-Semitism"

Police preparations for Holocaust forum events (Photo: Israel Police spokeswoman)

Police and Border Police activity in the framework of World Holocaust Forum events, January 22, 2020 (Photo: Israel Police spokeswoman)

The police, Border Police and volunteers will be deployed in the Ben Gurion Airport, along the inter-city routes leading to Jerusalem and throughout the city, with the aim of maintaining security, public order and directing traffic. Thus, loads and traffic disruptions are expected throughout the road from the Shapiro interchange to the entrance to Jerusalem. The road will be closed and graded, according to the convoy's progress along the route. Also, Route 443 will remain open continuously for vehicle traffic.

Tomorrow, around 8am to 10am, Highway 1 and its interchanges will be blocked for traffic for a limited period of time in the direction of Jerusalem (East). Another road block is expected in the evening, in the opposite direction (west). Within Jerusalem, many streets will be intermittently blocked for relatively short periods of time throughout the day, from morning to evening. King David Street will hermetically block traffic until Friday.

Holocaust Info Forum (Photo: Image processing)