Residents of communities throughout Yehuda and Shomron are concerned. At a time when attacks against Jewish motorists are increasing in number, including those involving gunfire and firebombs, the IDF is preparing to downsize its presence in areas. Such a move they insist will place them in a perilous situation and lead to an even greater increase in the number of attacks.
The move is part of the plan adopted by the Central Command of the IDF during the past year, to reduce restrictions on PA (Palestinian Authority) residents. Many changes are being made to eventually reduce the number of crossing points from Yosh into pre-1967 Green Line Israel from the current over 40, to 12. Some of the crossing areas such as from Gush Etzion into Jerusalem and from the Benjamin Council area of Shomron into Jerusalem have already been converted, and currently resemble an international border crossing. The new crossing have significantly complicated the lives of Israeli commuters, resulting in long traffic jams during morning rush hours, sometimes demanding motorists wait 45 minutes or longer to cross the ‘border’.
IDF officials on the other hand call today’s realities in Yosh the best they have seen in a number of years, stating attacks are down. The removal of checkpoints began last year, and the army plans to remove over 500 additional checkpoints and dirt/rock roadblocks that were in place to prevent PA residents from using certain roads.
Officials in the IDF’s Civil Administration hope the reduction in restrictions will permit easier travel for PA residents and encourage increased commercial activity towards an increased standard of living.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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One Response
The people making decisions MUST BE just plain stupid and brain-dead!
Boruch Hashem these dopes will soon be dead meat – for when Moshiach comes, they will no longer be!
We want Moshiach NOW!