IDF launches car ID system to speed up roadblocks for settlers

"If code is punched in, then the car will be allowed inspection-free access in and out of the West Bank," says officer.

By YAAKOV KATZ
idf checkpoint in north (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
idf checkpoint in north
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Due to growing discontent among West Bank settlers over waits at checkpoints, the IDF Central Command has launched a pilot program to test a car-identification system aimed at reducing the travel time for Israelis crossing the Green Line. Due to increasing Palestinian attempts to infiltrate Israel through the crossings along the Green Line - sometimes in cars with Israeli license plates - IDF soldiers at checkpoints are under orders to inspect all vehicles, without exception. In addition, the Israel Police recently stationed policemen on the Israeli side of the crossings to try to prevent cars stolen in Israel from being transferred to the West Bank. A top IDF officer in the Central Command said that the system was recently installed in 300 cars belonging to residents of Ariel and that they would be tested over the next few weeks before being distributed to the tens of thousands of West Bank settlers with cars. The system, the officer said, was developed by Elbit Systems Ltd., an expert in C4I solutions. The system works like the Easy-Pass tags for cars traveling on toll roads in the US and Israel. In addition to the electronic card that is placed on the windshield, a keypad is installed in the car which is used by the driver to type in a code which lets the IDF know that the car is not a terror risk. A special lane at the checkpoints will also be set up for the cars with the system. "If someone steals the car they will not have the code and we will be able to catch them as they try infiltrating Israel," the officer said. "If the code is punched in then the car will be allowed inspection-free access in and out of the West Bank."