Haaretz 08 Settembre 2009

Il bue che dice cornuto all'asino...

Head of the Paratroopers' Batallion, Colonel Oren Niv, has demanded that residents of a West Bank settlement stop leveling insults at soldiers manning checkpoints on the green line, after receiving complaints that soldiers were called "Nazis" by settlers in Karnei Shomron after subjecting them to security screening.

Settlers from Karnei Shomron have to pass through the Eliyahu checkpoint in order to cross the green line into Israeli territory. Recently, they have been required to present an identification card to soldiers and in some cases, to agree to a security check of their vehicles.

Police say the new regulations follow a number of incidents in which residents of settlements in the area were stopped smuggling illegal workers into Israel.
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In recent months, soldiers manning the checkpoint have complained to their commanding officers that they have been subject to insults from settlers when they ask them to submit to a security screening. In several incidents, soldiers said settlers called them "Nazis" and said they were "practicing selection" on them.

Colonel Niv told a meeting of Karnei Shomron local leaders that the insults are "harmful outbursts I do not accept." Local officials have stated that a clear message has been sent to residents that unacceptable behavior towards IDF soldiers will not be allowed.

Settlers have requested that soldiers at the checkpoints not require them to pass security exams, instead saying that the residence sticker affixed to their cars should suffice.

The IDF spokesperson said Monday that "security screenings at checkpoints in the central command district are carried out in light of the security situation, and in order to prevent terror attacks and the smuggling of unapproved people.

By Anshel Pfeffer

Source >  Haaretz | Sept 07