Israel defends “Palestinian-only” bus lines despite criticism of racism, discrimination

Israel has created a new line of buses to assist Palestinians trying to get from Judea & Samaria (West Bank) into Israel where the jobs are better. Despite what many are saying, Israel insists that Palestinians can certainly ride other buses and this is only meant to help them. Israel does acknowledge, though, that part of the reason for the new bus lines is due to complaints and fears of Jewish settlers who worry much about security.

Here’s a short video from Reuters on the new bus line:

Below is probably the most fair article I’ve read on the subject, giving air to both sides, instead of simply painting this as some racist move by the ‘occupiers’. It also gives credence to the fact that the Palestinians would rather ride these ‘racist’ buses than ride with Jewish settlers. And vice-versa.

TIMES OF ISRAEL – Israel’s decision to launch a pair of “Palestinian-only” bus lines in the West Bank on Monday, presented by the government as a goodwill gesture and assailed by critics as racism but was welcomed by Palestinian riders – is shining a light on the messy situation created by 45 years of military occupation and Jewish settlements in the area.

…

Israeli peace activists condemned the bus lines as racist, while Palestinian riders seemed to like the arrangement. Israeli officials insisted that Palestinians could still ride regular buses if they choose — despite Palestinian claims they are hardly welcome there by Jewish settlers.

…

Officials said the buses would ease the burden on Palestinian laborers, who must often take grueling, circuitous routes on Israeli public transportation or rely on pricey taxis to enter Israel. Israeli officials stressed that no one was forced to use the new lines and Palestinians were still permitted to ride on Israeli buses if they desired.

“This is a goodwill gesture,” Uzi Itzhaki, director of the Transport Ministry, told Israel Radio. “These lines are intended to serve the Palestinian workers.” He said Monday’s launch was a test pilot and that there are plans to expand the service.

…

Hundreds of laborers gathered at the Eyal checkpoint before dawn to take advantage of the new service. Outside of some overcrowding from heavier-than-expected demand, few problems were reported, and riders seemed pleased with the new arrangement.

Haroun Hamdan, a 44-year-old blacksmith from the Palestinian village of Salem, said riding buses with Jewish settlers has become so unpleasant that the Palestinians prefer to have their own buses.

…

Israeli officials acknowledged that the motives were not entirely altruistic. Jewish settlers have raised objections to Palestinians being on board buses that enter their communities, fearing attacks. West Bank settlers last year petitioned the army to sign an order banning Palestinians from riding buses servicing West Bank settlers.

“Passengers on the buses complain about unpleasant experiences, nuisances and fear,” reads one online petition, which collected 1,380 signatories. “We want to continue to use these public transportation lines without fearing for our lives and the lives of our children.”

Yariv Oppenheimer of the anti-settlement Peace Now organization said the new bus lines sent a bad message.

“Instead of fighting racism, this government is actually collaborating with the racist system and creates different buses for Palestinians and for Israeli settlers,” he said. “In the West Bank, it’s not a democracy. It’s much closer to apartheid than to democracy.”

READ THE FULL ARTICLE…