NEW DELHI: Areas around the Israel embassy and those with Jewish establishments in the city have been placed on high alert after an embassy staffer was stabbed in Beijing on Friday. Police are cautious because there have been two attempts — in 2012 and 2021 — on the Israel’s embassy and its diplomats in Delhi.
In 2012, Tal Yehoshua Koren, wife of the Israeli defence attaché and an embassy staffer, was seriously injured in a car blast in Chanakyapuri. In January 2021, a low intensity blast outside the Israeli embassy on APJ Abdul Kalam Road had sent shockwaves through the security apparatus because it had taken place during the Beating Retreat ceremony on Kartavya Path.
Overall, security in Delhi was tightened from Thursday amid fear of violent protests against the Israeli retaliation to the Hamas attack. An intelligence input in this regard was conveyed on Thursday evening, following which the cops carried out extensive patrolling in sensitive areas like Jama Masjid, Seelampur, Jafrabad and Jamia Nagar. “Deployment was stepped up ahead of the Friday prayers and security was upped at Jewish establishments too,” said a police officer.
The officer added, “We have boosted the presence of uniformed officers at major gatherings and cultural sites to prioritise public safety, exercising an abundance of caution. To enhance security, we have advised religious centres to restrict access to their premises, ensure the functionality of security cameras and alarms, conduct perimeter sweeps and screen mail and packages.”
An input conveyed to the district police on Thursday night said that some organisations could stage a protest/demonstration in different places in the city from Friday onwards following the war between Israel and Hamas.
“The protesters may gather all over Delhi and owing to such large gatherings, the devotees are likely to spill over on to the adjoining roads and parks. There is also apprehension that some organisations may gather at the Chabad Houses/ Jewish Community Centres and other important Jewish establishments in Delhi,” the input said. “Keeping in view the present scenario, adequate arrangements may be made by the local police, police control room and traffic police.”
State authorities in Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh and Goa have also been asked to ensure security to Israeli diplomats, staff and tourists, sources said. This comes after many countries, including the US, UK, France and Germany, have enhanced security around “potential Jewish targets” and “pro-Palestinian protesters” in view of the escalating situation in the aftermath of the call for “Global Day of Jihad” by former Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal.
In 2012, Tal Yehoshua Koren, wife of the Israeli defence attaché and an embassy staffer, was seriously injured in a car blast in Chanakyapuri. In January 2021, a low intensity blast outside the Israeli embassy on APJ Abdul Kalam Road had sent shockwaves through the security apparatus because it had taken place during the Beating Retreat ceremony on Kartavya Path.
Overall, security in Delhi was tightened from Thursday amid fear of violent protests against the Israeli retaliation to the Hamas attack. An intelligence input in this regard was conveyed on Thursday evening, following which the cops carried out extensive patrolling in sensitive areas like Jama Masjid, Seelampur, Jafrabad and Jamia Nagar. “Deployment was stepped up ahead of the Friday prayers and security was upped at Jewish establishments too,” said a police officer.
The officer added, “We have boosted the presence of uniformed officers at major gatherings and cultural sites to prioritise public safety, exercising an abundance of caution. To enhance security, we have advised religious centres to restrict access to their premises, ensure the functionality of security cameras and alarms, conduct perimeter sweeps and screen mail and packages.”
An input conveyed to the district police on Thursday night said that some organisations could stage a protest/demonstration in different places in the city from Friday onwards following the war between Israel and Hamas.
“The protesters may gather all over Delhi and owing to such large gatherings, the devotees are likely to spill over on to the adjoining roads and parks. There is also apprehension that some organisations may gather at the Chabad Houses/ Jewish Community Centres and other important Jewish establishments in Delhi,” the input said. “Keeping in view the present scenario, adequate arrangements may be made by the local police, police control room and traffic police.”
State authorities in Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh and Goa have also been asked to ensure security to Israeli diplomats, staff and tourists, sources said. This comes after many countries, including the US, UK, France and Germany, have enhanced security around “potential Jewish targets” and “pro-Palestinian protesters” in view of the escalating situation in the aftermath of the call for “Global Day of Jihad” by former Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal.