Paul KeenanRestraining orders enacted
Israel has placed three Jewish extremists under house arrest ahead of Pope Francis’ visit to the country.
Amid fears that the trio was planning disruptive actions during the Pontiff’s trip, security services gained restraining orders which remain in effect for four days.
A police spokesperon confirmed that "the police and Shin Bet (security service) have taken out restraining orders against several right-wing activists who, according to information from Shin Bet, are planning to commit provocative acts during the Pope's visit”.
Israel is set to deploy an extra 8,000 police officers for the duration of the Pope’s visit, with many covering sites of Christian importance where ultra-Orthodox Jewish elements may protest at a perceived desire by Rome to gain stronger control over such sites.
Authorities have already placed restraining orders on two students from a Jewish seminary at Mount Zion, where the Pope is scheduled to celebrate Mass at the site of the Last Supper.
Israel’s chief of police, Commissioner Yohanan Danino, has stated publicly that his officers will tolerate no attempt to disrupt the Pope’s visit.