102 Illegal Arab Workers Arrested

Security forces in recent days arrested 102 illegal Arab workers who had snuck into Israel in an area near Be’er Sheva. The arrests were made in the area of the Meitar checkpoint, located north of Be’er Sheva. The Arabs were largely from the Chevron area, as roads from Chevron lead to the area of Be’er Sheva.

Officials said that the Arabs had illegally entered Israel in order to work, and were being sent back to Palestinian Authority-controlled areas. The Arabs did not pose a specific security threat, the officials said, but they were concerned that the routes used by the Arabs could be used by terrorists as well.

Over the weekend, security officials said they arrested four wanted security suspects in other areas in Yehudah and Shomron. The suspects were wanted for participating in rioting and throwing stones and firebombs that endangered Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers. Several of the suspects were also charged with belonging to Hamas. All were being questioned on their activities by security forces.