By: Tal Schneider – The Times of Israel; timesofisrael.com
Israel’s parliament has not seen serious violence for decades, but unit that protects MKs has been drilling for riots or a hostage situation since well before Capitol rampage
Officials in Israel’s Knesset watched in horror Wednesday night, as scenes of chaos, bloodshed and insurrection unfolded at the US Capitol when a mob of supporters of President Donald Trump ransacked the seat of power of the strongest nation in the world.
Armed with bats, batons, hockey sticks, tear gas and other low-level means of violence, the swarm overwhelmed the Capitol’s police force and rampaged through the building, wrecking congressional offices and running riot through the halls of power, as America’s duly elected lawmakers huddled for cover. Some of the rioters carried zip-ties, sparking suspicions that they may have planned to take hostages.
The event, in which five people died, has indelibly scarred America, but it has also sparked questions in Israel, of not only whether such a thing could happen here, but how ready are we if it did?