Jerusalem checkpoint scandal reveals bribed officers enabling dangerous Palestinian infiltrators to breach Israel’s defenses.
A sweeping indictment filed Monday in the Jerusalem District Court exposes a shocking corruption network at one of Israel’s most sensitive security checkpoints, where three Border Police officers allegedly took bribes to smuggle Palestinian Arabs into Israeli territory, bypassing all security inspections — even when there were suspicions of weapons trafficking.
According to the Police Internal Investigations Unit, the officers — members of the haredi Avnet Company — used their authority at the Ras Biddu Checkpoint, north of Jerusalem, to clear unauthorized Palestinian Arabs from the villages of Beit Iksa and Biddu. These individuals had no legal entry permits and, in some cases, were suspected of attempting to smuggle contraband or weapons.
In exchange, the officers reportedly received hundreds of shekels per infiltrator, accumulating tens of thousands of shekels over time.
The investigation revealed:
- Systematic paid passage of illegal entrants
- Zero security checks, even when officers suspected weapons involvement
- Collusion with Palestinian networks organizing transport via private cars and minibuses
- Concealed cash transfers and delivery of goods smuggled past inspection
One officer even maintained a personal relationship with a woman from Beit Iksa — receiving gifts and sharing compromising photos she sent him — an act the indictment calls a severe breach of trust for someone in a critical security role.
The Palestinian co-conspirators reportedly:
- Transported illegal entrants
- Paid bribes through covert channels
- Purchased weapons and ammunition
- Facilitated dozens of illegal entries each month
Officials warn that these actions posed a grave national security threat, potentially enabling terrorists or weapons smugglers to freely enter Israel under the protection of corrupt officers.
This case highlights the ongoing danger of Palestinian infiltration networks, which continue to exploit weak points in the security chain — and the catastrophic risk posed when even a handful of officers betray their mission to protect Israeli lives.
