Five security guards in the settlement of Givat Ze'ev, employees of the private security company "Moked Matara" that provides services to the settlement, were arrested last week by investigators from the Jerusalem Metropolitan Police Unit on suspicion of helping to smuggle illegal residents into and out of Givat Ze'ev.
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According to a police announcement this morning (Monday), the investigation was opened following intelligence information that reached the Jerusalem Police Chief several months ago. The Givat Ze'ev Council was informed by the police about the suspicions against the security guards.
In addition to the security guards, two Palestinians were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the incident.
The arrests were made in broad daylight, following a lengthy undercover investigation. Additional arrests are expected in the case.
It is suspected that the suspects involved in the case acted systematically after a connection was established to carry out these serious criminal offenses, between the security guards and a number of residents of the Palestinian Authority, with the aim of allowing 'free passage' for illegal residents, while bypassing the 'Ofer' security screening and inspection checkpoint.
The method worked like this: After their infiltration, the IDF officers boarded vehicles bearing Israeli license plates on Route 443 that were waiting for them. These vehicles traveled with the infiltrators through the back gate of Givat Ze'ev, the entrance gate to the 'Agan Ayalot' neighborhood - a gate intended for local residents and manned by security guards. In this way, the infiltrators bypassed the security checkpoint without hindrance, and the IDF officers' path to reach all areas of the State of Israel became paved and free.
According to police investigators, in exchange for the assistance of those security guards, who are actually responsible for maintaining the safety of residents in the town and the entire region, the suspects pocketed tens of thousands of shekels.
The undercover investigation also revealed that some of those illegal residents who entered with the assistance of security guards and others were employed in various places - where they were located and apprehended by the police. More than once, these places were closed in accordance with the police decision for employing the ISA.
One of the detainees is a security guard who coordinated and brokered the funds and paid the security guards - several employees from Abu Ghosh and two residents of the north.
The suspects' detention has been extended by several days, and some are expected to be brought for a second detention extension this week.
The head of the Givat Ze'ev local council, Yossi Asraf, said: "We view very seriously the suspicions attributed to security guards who allegedly went above and beyond their duties and endangered the safety of the residents of Givat Ze'ev. Our trust in the security system is fundamental, and any harm to it is unforgivable. I welcome the swift and determined action of the Jerusalem Police, which was launched following the demand of the Givat Ze'ev council, and we trust the police to investigate the truth and bring all those involved to justice.".
Asraf called on the residents of Givat Ze'ev to increase their vigilance and report any unusual events: "I urge you to contact us about any injustice or suspicion of an illegal act. You are our eyes on the ground and together with the residents we are fighting to maintain the security of the council.".
The council emphasized that they will continue to examine the security system, strengthen control procedures, and use all means to prevent similar incidents from recurring. "We will not allow the personal security of residents to be eroded," the council head noted, "and we will take every step necessary to ensure the peace of residents.".
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