The Knesset Audit Committee chaired by MK (Yesh Atid) Karin Elharrar convened last week to discuss the matter of PA (Palestinian Authority) illegals inside Green Line Israel. The meeting was also attended by IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-General Gadi Eizenkott. Eizenkott told the committee that 44% of the terror attacks carried out in the past months, since last Rosh Hashanah, were perpetrated by PA residents inside Green Line Israel illegally.

The military commander explained about 60,000 PA residents have permits and cross into Israel daily along with another 40,000 employed in factories in yishuvim in Yehuda and Shomron. In addition, an estimated 50,000-60,000 are inside Green Line Israel illegally.

Eizenkott explained that the terror attacks during the last year showed very low involvement among PA residents with permits to work in Israel yet there was 44% involvement among those without work/entry permits. This is leading the IDF to take a number of steps towards the prevention of future attacks, including the issuing of additional entry permits.

NIS 260 million has been allocated for the construction of a separation barrier in the Tarkumiya area south of Yerushalayim and work is already ongoing in the hope the barrier will serve as another obstacle to keep illegals out of Green Line Israel.

Committee members also learned that of the 4,300 arrests made, indictments were only handed down in 1,500 cases. Committee members also cited they feel the punishments meted out to illegals is usually too light and while the law permits imprisoning someone for five years, in most case, the punishment was more like five months imprisonment.

Some additional issues are tied to PA illegals inside ‘Israel proper’ beyond concerns surrounding terrorism. Committee members explain when these people work illegally, they are not paying taxes, they have no social benefits and can be fired without notice since they are illegal. In addition, often, when they are unsuccessful in finding work they will resort to crime. Authorities are now trying to encourage more PA residents to apply for permits in the hope of cutting down the number of illegals.

Officials told the committee that today, there are actually 73,300 entry permits of which only about 61,000 are used. The security establishment is now taking steps to make it easier for one to obtain a permit and work, which today is limited to persons 22 and older. The plan is to increase the number of entry permits to 130,000 in the hope of curtailing the number of potential terrorists in the future.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)