Ya’alon Denies Bus Ban Order

No ban was ever issued against Palestinians riding Israeli buses in Yehudah and Shomron, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said on Wednesday, according to The Times of Israel.

“I have not made any decision from which it is possible to understand or imply the prohibition of Arabs traveling on public transportation in Yehudah and Shomron,” he said. “The matter is related to Arabs traveling to work in Israel every morning, who are supposed to return to their homes in the evening.”

Responding to media reports and a request for clarification from the Attorney General’s office, Ya’alon explained that all that is involved is a pilot plan which would require Palestinian workers to return from Israel proper every day via the same entry point, as a way of keeping track of how many really do go home, and to discourage workers from remaining in Israel illegally.

Ya’alon did acknowledge that the Defense Ministry had received complaints from Jewish residents in Yehudah and Shomron about the security threat from Palestinians traveling on bus routes in the region. Jewish travelers said they felt insecure when the buses fill with Palestinians at the end of the day, a situation made even more dangerous because within Yehudah and Shomron those who don’t have entry permits can also board the buses.

“When there are 20 Arabs on a bus and only a Jewish driver and a few Jewish passengers, it’s guaranteed to be a terror attack,” said Ya’alon in the Knesset on Wednesday.

This article appeared in print on page 9 of the October 31st, 2014 edition of Hamodia.