Residents of the Train Neighborhood in Lod, east of Tel Aviv, are already used to seeing hundreds of police officers and Border Guard troops deployed in the area in order to combat rampant drug-dealing in this mixed Arab-Jewish city.
However, in recent days, locals were stunned to spot something a little different: Hundreds of IDF soldiers "raiding" the town's Arab neighborhoods.
As it turns out, military officials apparently decided to hold some training sessions in Lod, whose poor environs remind them of areas targeted by IDF forces in Lebanon.
Two nights ago, soldiers bearing maps and navigation equipment entered the neighborhood. At first, surprised residents did not understand what the new guests were doing in town and thought they were merely reinforcing the regular police presence. However, by morning time locals again spotted troops walking around with maps and drawing various sketches.
When asked about their actions, the soldiers said they were merely training.
'Not enough Jewish neighborhoods?'
One of the local residents, identified only as Ahmed, says he is upset over the military presence.
"I don't understand why the army must come to train here of all places. Aren't there enough Jewish neighborhoods it can use for training?" he said. "The only thing that distinguishes us from the Jewish neighborhoods is the sewage running through the streets."
According to Ahmed, the troops walked around town for hours, and later headed to the city's cemetery where they established a command post.
However, IDF soldier Arik, a reservist who lives in the center of the country, dismissed the complaints voiced by Arab residents.
"The IDF is undertaking training sessions in other communities in Israel and it doesn't bother anyone," he said. "The IDF needs to train and it does so everywhere. Arab neighborhoods are not outside the State of Israel and the army can train wherever it wishes."
"I can also see IDF units training where I live," Arik added. "Those Arab residents are just whining."
Meanwhile, the army said Lod residents' complaints are being looked into.
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