Report: Israel to operate 'Palestinian-only' bus routes

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TEL AVIV, Israel (Ma'an) -- An Israeli bus company on Monday will begin operating Palestinian-only lines from the West Bank to Israel as a result of complaints from settlers, Israeli media reported Sunday.

The new bus routes will be operated by Israel's Afikim company and take Palestinian workers from the Eyal crossing, near Qalqiliya, to Israel.

Israel's Ministry of Transportation defended the plan by saying that buses traveling in the area were overcrowded and there were tensions between settlers and Palestinians, the Israeli daily Ynet reported.

Many settlers complain that Palestinian passengers are a security risk, an Israeli transport ministry source told Ynet.

A Palestinian who holds a permit to enter Israel is legally allowed to use public transportation and can therefore travel on any bus route he or she chooses, Haaretz reports. more

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