In the Heat of the Night
| August 10, 2016
Palestinian laborers wait for a ride to work at the Eyal checkpoint near Kalkilya (Photo: Flash90)
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olonel Ro’i Sheetrit commander of the Ephraim Brigade the military unit responsible for security in the Shomron views a screen showing real-time images transmitted by IDF surveillance cameras near Kalkilya. Just a stone’s throw from Raanana it is from there that Palestinians attempt to cross intoIsraelbefore dawn each day — some to find work others to commit acts of terror.
“Look” Sheetrit says pointing to the images of people. “These are infiltrators.” He points to a second screen. “Soon you’ll see drivers here who get paid to smuggle them intoIsrael.”
The video shows soldiers border police and regular police waiting in ambush. Only after the Palestinians get into the cars do the security forces surround them on all sides and arrest them.
Palestinians illegally crossing the border has long been an issue for the security establishment but lately the IDF has changed its approach: rather than focusing on the arrest of individual Palestinians security forces are now cracking down on the well-designed infrastructure that brings illegals into Israel including drivers and Israeli employers.
Col. Ro’i Sheetrit: “No one is innocent. They might be abetting the next terror attack. This cannot be taken lightly.”
One such bust took place last week in Harish a community 15 miles northeast of Netanya whereIsraelis building an estimated 11000 housing units. Authorities arrested 19 illegal Palestinian workers along with a building contractor and detained his foreman for questioning. In addition police filed an indictment to freeze construction at the site for 30 days.
“Our objective is to apprehend all those involved. The illegals the driver who brings them to the crossing point and those who aid and abet their crossing intoIsraelillegally” Sheetrit says. “No one is innocent. They might be abetting the next terror attack. This cannot be taken lightly.”
Authorities try to walk a fine line.Israelhas an interest in ensuring that Palestinians are gainfully employed; few if any Israelis are interested in low-wage construction jobs.Israelhas granted work permits to an estimated 100000 Palestinians but an estimated 40000 Palestinians work illegally over the Green Line. Many remain overnight on construction sites and some pose a security risk.
The new focus has left its mark on the Palestinian Authority as well which shares an interest in ensuring that its residents are gainfully employed and too tired after a hard day of work to cause any trouble.
“The Palestinian Authority has also intensified its enforcement and efforts to prevent illegal infiltrations toIsrael” Sheetrit says. “We are noticing greater deterrence as well as agreement on the conditions that we set for obtaining legal work permits. If we don’t grant a person a work permit there’s a reason: involvement in terror membership in a terrorist organization or a history of extremist remarks on social networks. It’s not for nothing.”
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