Israel launches Palestinian-only buses
- 11 years ago
Israel has launched two Palestinian-only bus lines in the Occupied West Bank.
Some Jewish settlers are pleased with the segregated transport - saying it makes them feel more secure knowing Palestinians are less likely to ride the bus with them.
(SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) RESIDENT OF KARNEI SHOMRON, YAFFA NEWMAN, SAYING:
"I'm certain that it is more secure to drive without them because it is...in general, that they even allowed them...the driver doesn't even inspect them".
The Israeli Transport Ministry opened the lines after Jewish settlers complained that Palestinians on mixed buses were a security threat.
But an official at the Palestinian Ministry of Transportation described the move as discriminatory and racist.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MUHAMMAD HAMDAN, OFFICIAL AT THE PALESTINIAN MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION, SAYING:
"We see it as discrimination, it is not positive it is negative because it will separate the workers who are on their way to work inside
Some Jewish settlers are pleased with the segregated transport - saying it makes them feel more secure knowing Palestinians are less likely to ride the bus with them.
(SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) RESIDENT OF KARNEI SHOMRON, YAFFA NEWMAN, SAYING:
"I'm certain that it is more secure to drive without them because it is...in general, that they even allowed them...the driver doesn't even inspect them".
The Israeli Transport Ministry opened the lines after Jewish settlers complained that Palestinians on mixed buses were a security threat.
But an official at the Palestinian Ministry of Transportation described the move as discriminatory and racist.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MUHAMMAD HAMDAN, OFFICIAL AT THE PALESTINIAN MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION, SAYING:
"We see it as discrimination, it is not positive it is negative because it will separate the workers who are on their way to work inside