Netanyahu orders tighter security against stone pelters

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday ordered increase in security presence in Jerusalem and on the highway leading to it, in response to a growing number of stone pelters and firebomb incidents.

For youths, stone-hurling became a popular resistance method against Israeli control of Palestinian territories, starting with the first "intifadah" armed uprising, in the late 1980s.

During the past year, tensions escalated between Israelis and Palestinians, especially in Jerusalem and the West Bank, amid a halt in peace talks.

Netanyahu met his cabinet members and security officials on Wednesday to discuss the escalating number of incidents, which have now become a daily occurrence in Jerusalem and along highway 443 connecting the centre of Israel with Jerusalem and the West Bank.

"Our policy is zero tolerance towards stone-throwers and terrorists," Xinhua quoted Netanyahu as saying.

Two extra border police companies will be deployed in Jerusalem in the near future along with an increase of 400 policemen.

Netanyahu ordered the construction of observation and intelligence posts along the highway with cameras and lighting.

Regarding stone pelters, officials will study legal procedures against them along with firebomb instigators, with new minimum sentences for such behaviour to be determined, according to the statement.

Over 1,000 mainly Palestinian youths were indicted for throwing stones in the past year, according to figures from Israel's Ministry of Justice.