Israel declares ‘state of emergency’ in Lod amid Palestinian protests

Israel’s public security minister declared a ‘special state of emergency’ in the restive city of Lod after Palestinian demonstrations were galvanised by the killing of a protester on Monday and renewed atacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque.

“Everything necessary is done to restore law and order in Lod and throughout the country,” Amir Ohana, Israel’s public security minister, announced on Twitter.

He added that the security services have decided to deploy 16 Border Police reserve units to Lod from Judea and Samaria.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he spoke on Tuesday evening with Defense Minister Benny Gantz, the Public Security Minister, the Inspector General of the Israel Police, the head of the National Security Council, the Attorney General and other senior officials regarding events in Lod.

“PM Netanyahu directed that lawbreakers be dealt with severely and that units on the ground be reinforced in order to restore quiet and order to the city forthwith,” a Twitter account for the office of the prime minister said.

On Monday, Palestinian protester Moussa Hassona was reportedly shot dead by an Israeli settler during a protest that erupted in Lod against the repeated storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli security forces.