ISRAEL: Police Units Blame Each Other For Security Failures At Jerusalem Pride, Demotions Expected

Jerusalem police yesterday submitted the findings of their internal investigation into the security failures that resulted in a fatal stabbing at the gay pride parade. According to the report, several police units are blaming each other for allowing the deranged ultra-Orthodox killer to infiltrate the event. Haaretz reports:

Investigation of the incident focused on the actions and failures of three police units: the Jerusalem district’s central unit and the police’s Tzion and Moriah units, through whose jurisdiction the parade passed. Officers from the three units blamed each other during discussions of responsibility. The central unit was responsible for risk assessment, pre-event intelligence and supervision of the event, while Tzion and Moriah were responsible for security around the marchers. Sources in the police said they expected the committee to recommend that Jerusalem district police chief Maj. Gen. Moshe Edri be reprimanded, but that he would not be removed from his post. However, a number of other senior officers in the district are expected to be removed due to reportedly faulty handling of the situation before and during the event. It emerged from committee discussions that Schlissel’s name had come up before the parade but he was not placed under surveillance. The committee also looked into coordination vis a vis the Israel Prison Service ahead of Schlissel’s release, three weeks before the parade and the police’s plans for the day.

The report will be delivered to family of murdered teen Shira Banki.