IDF soldier, teen escorted out of Bethlehem unharmed
Armed Golani Brigade soldier and his 16-year-old friend enter West Bank city to fix car, transferred by Palestinian police to Israeli authorities. 'They endangered not only themselves but the entire country, because they could have been kidnapped,' IDF official says
Palestinian police officers escorted on Sunday an IDF solider and an Israeli teen out of Bethlehem after the two had entered the West Bank city to have their car fixed at a local garage.
The Israelis were unharmed, but an army official called the act "stupid" and said the incident would be examined further.
"They endangered not only themselves, but the entire country, because they could have been kidnapped," the official said.
The Golani Brigade soldier entered Bethlehem along with his 16-year-old friend in civilian clothes and armed with his personal assault rifle. Locals identified the two as Israelis and summoned the Palestinian officers, who then contacted the IDF and the Civil Administration and transferred the Israelis to the District Coordination Office in the city.
The soldier was questioned by Military Police, and it is estimated that he will be judged severely. The teen was taken into police custody but was later released. He will apparently be indicted for entering Zone A, which is under autonomous Palestinian control.
"The security establishment has received warnings regarding attempts to kidnap Israeli civilians ad soldiers," an IDF official told Ynet. "Israelis are strictly forbidden from entering Zone A."
According to Palestinian sources, the soldier and the teen managed to advance only a few meters into Palestinian territory before being spotted by officers who were deployed in the area as part of the preparations for the Christian Orthodox Christmas, which starts tonight.
The sources added that an increased number of Israelis are attempting to enter Palestinian territory for various reasons in light of the relative calm in the West Bank. In most cases the Israelis are detected and sent back to the Israeli side, they said.
Eight days ago an armed Nahal Brigade soldier entered Bethlehem in civilian clothes along with a man and a women to see Christmas trees. He was sentenced by a military court to 28 days in prison.
