Transportation Minister Katz was in Modi’in where he officially launched the new public transportation security unit. In light of the ongoing wave of Islamic terror attacks that began on erev Rosh Hashanah 5776, the government decided to re-launch the unit that operated in the past, providing additional security for public transportation.

The unit will be placing an emphasis on Jerusalem and the agents will replace IDF soldiers now assigned to the task. It is hoped the security agents will prevent attacks on buses as well las serving as a deterrence.

The new security personnel are uniformed, armed with pistols, communications devices and carry special identity cards issued by Israel Police. They have the authority to detain and arrest a person as well as to conduct a search of a suspect. The unit will operate openly as well as behind the scene, with some agents not appearing in uniform.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)