East Jerusalem teen arrested on suspicion of running Western Wall parking racket
Police say the 16-year-old damaged vehicles belonging to people who refused to pay him protection money
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Jews wearing prayer shawls take part in the Kohanim prayer (priest's blessing) during the Passover holiday at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, on April 2, 2018. ( AFP PHOTO / MENAHEM KAHANA
A teen from East Jerusalem was arrested on suspicion of running a protection racket at the Western Wall parking lot, police said Sunday.
According to police, the 16-year-old damaged vehicles belonging to visitors who refused to pay the fees he demanded to guard the cars at the lot just outside Jerusalem’s Old City.
The court extended his remand.
Approximately 130,000 people visit the Western Wall every week, with holidays causing an additional influx of visitors.
In June 2017, cabinet ministers approved a plan to construct a cable car from the new city of Jerusalem to the Western Wall, which will allow more accessibility to the holy site and ease traffic in and around the maze of narrow streets around the site.
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