Israeli Government to Approve New Police Facility in East Jerusalem After a Decade

The Israeli government is set to approve a proposal to establish a new police facility in the Muslim Quarter of East Jerusalem, marking the first such development in over ten years. The plan, brought forward by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, involves constructing a three-story building near the intersection of HaGai Street and the Lion's Gate, in the strategic area of the Old City. The facility will be staffed by Border Police and regular police officers and aims to strengthen law enforcement presence and governance in East Jerusalem.

The project will be funded by the Ministry of National Security with a total budget of 28 million shekels, allocated gradually from 2026 through 2029: 4 million in 2026, 10 million in 2027, 10 million in 2028, and 4 million in 2029. Although the site falls under the jurisdiction of the David District in the Jerusalem police district, rather than the Kedem District responsible for East Jerusalem, it is intended to enhance operational deployment in this sensitive area.

Minister Ben-Gvir described the initiative as a "huge breakthrough for Jerusalem residents," emphasizing that since his appointment, there has been a significant increase in police enforcement in East Jerusalem, reducing incidents such as stone-throwing and Molotov cocktail attacks. He stated that the new police facility and its personnel will serve as a force multiplier for security and governance in the city.

This move reflects a strategic effort by the Israeli government to bolster security infrastructure in East Jerusalem, a region that has seen limited new police installations for over a decade. The approval is expected to take place during the government meeting on Tuesday, signaling a renewed focus on law enforcement presence in the area.