IDF to bus hitchhiking settlers
Following kidnappings, IDF taking number of steps in order to protect hitchhiking settlers from terrorists
Despite the tense security situation and alerts predicting continued kidnapping attempts, scores of young settlers continue to hitchhike in Judea and Samaria. Due to the low number of buses passing through these areas, hitchhiking stations remain full and serve as easy prey for terror organizations.
The risk of Israeli abductions became concrete almost two weeks ago, with the attempted kidnapping of teenage girls Emuna Shachar and Hadas Mann, who were waiting at a hitchhiking station at Rachelim junction. Following the incident, security sources raised the alert that terrorists planned to kidnap Israeli citizens in order to bargain for the release of Palestinian prisoners. The threat, published in “Yediot Ahronot” newspaper on June 16, came to life in the past few days.
Hitchhiking continues nevertheless
Despite the IDF’s warning to settlers not to hitchhike in Judea and Samaria, hitchhiking has continued. As a result, a meeting took place between security officers from the Judea and Samaria regional council and officers in the IDF’s Judea and Samaria division.
The group decided upon a number of activities aimed at reducing the danger: An IDF-subsidized bus will drive along central roads in the region, picking up hitchhikers. The IDF will also allow Egged Bus Company to set up new stops in areas where hitchhikers tend to gather, such as Tapuah junction and near the Mizpeh Asaf outpost. Additionally, IDF forces will guard hitchhiking stations.
Lt. Col. Ilan Dayan, regional security officer in Judea and Samaria, sent letters alerting settlement residents: the current times are dangerous, primarily on the streets and at hitchhiking stations. The public is asked to refrain from hitchhiking.
Haim Levinson contributed to the report
