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Last update - 08:24 21/08/2007 IDF source: Army will no longer pay for 35 settlements' security By Yuval Azoulay, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: IDF, West Bank settlements  The Israel Defense Forces does not intend to renew its contract with some 170 security guards in West Bank settlements, military sources told Haaretz on Monday. The Israel Defense Forces currently holds contracts until the end of 2007 with employed civilian guards who provide security for 35 settlements. The IDF had hired up to eight guards in each settlement, usually residents of that settlement, the sources said. Guards patrolled the settlements' boundaries and constituted the communities' first line of defense in terror attacks. Advertisement Guards were trained by the IDF via a program known as "Fortress," and received military equipment as well as full salaries and benefits. An officer in the IDF Central Command explained that the defense establishment is not interested in renewing the contracts because that would oblige the Defense Ministry to make the Fortress guards permanent employees. "The situation entails a legal predicament," the officer said. "The defense establishment is currently downsizing on commissioned officers and permanent workers. If the guards in the Fortress program were to receive permanent status, it would appear as though the Defense Ministry were trying to hand out jobs through the back door." Private security firms To replace the decommissioned guards, the IDF is considering hiring private security firms to take over security in the settlements. "The only other alternative is employing more IDF troops and officers for security detail in these settlements," an army source said. "However, by the time they became acquainted with the terrain, they would already have to be replaced." Moreover, the source said, "the IDF would have to increase the number of troops employed in providing security for settlements from 400 to 600." As rumors spread of the Defense Ministry's plan to terminate the contracts, Fortress guards began looking for alternative sources of employment. In 2005, the program comprised 280 guards, but over 100 guards have since left it. Sources in the defense and security establishment said that the Fortress program costs NIS 40 million per annum. They added that the switch to private security firms would not increase the cost. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Animated massacre Animated Israeli film at Cannes explores Sabra and Shatila massacre. Kowtowing to funders When papers are sponsored, can their reporting be truly independent?   1.   Sounds more like an excuse to remove settlements 06:28  |  Jon 21/08/07   2.   God forbid the IDF will actually PROTECT JEWS ?!?!? 06:59  |  amir 21/08/07   3.   let the settlers fend for themselves 07:38  |  Leona 21/08/07   4.   Remove settlements? 08:47  |  D 21/08/07   5.   Will they stop guarding Tel Aviv too? 09:08  |  Dani 21/08/07   6.   Eluding Tactics by IDF 09:52  |  Walid 21/08/07   7.   to 3 But what about money? They can`t earn by other means 10:24  |  a jew 21/08/07   8.   How can you call someone a settler if there in Israel? 11:15  |  EYESWIDEOPEN 21/08/07   9.   Looks like 11:17  |  Chris Linthwaite 21/08/07   10.   Circumventing the law 11:37  |  Zev 21/08/07   11.   THE KNESSET WANTS TO CLOSE DOWN THE COUNTRY. FIRST GUSH KATIF. 12:35  |  Alon 21/08/07   12.   Three generations and still called settlers 14:11  |  why 21/08/07   13.   Great News 14:42  |  Sara Goldberg 21/08/07   14.   Hilarious 14:57  |  H50 21/08/07   15.   IDF and security of settlements 14:59  |  Oskar Prager 21/08/07   16.   Israel and its defense budget cuts + settler bashing 15:04  |  Avram 21/08/07   17.   once again, haaretz completely misleading....... 15:28  |  EEJ 21/08/07   18.   Milking the government for extra salaries.... 15:42  |  Esther 21/08/07   19.   Each Judea/Samaria town should develop self defense forces. 15:43  |  Chaim 21/08/07   20.   The citizens of Israel living in Judeah and Samaria 16:02  |  Beni 21/08/07   21.   JEWISH RESIDENTS OF JUDEA AND SAMARIA SHOULD FORM THEIR OWN STATE 00:56  |  PalestiniansAreAMyth 22/08/07   22.   2: Amir, as long as those Jews pay for it themselves (3rd try) 13:05  |  David Teich 24/08/07   23.   Where`s the Solution? There are no Short Cuts 07:35  |  The Archives 17/05/08

Read & React Israel protests UN chief Ban Ki-Moon's use of term 'nakba' Responses: 452 PMO: U.S., Israel see need for 'tangible action' on Iran nukes Responses: 132 Shmuel Rosner: Bush, Obama and the 'appeasement' jibe Responses: 92 Bin Laden vows to 'fight' Israel for Palestinian land Responses: 210 Sultan al-Qassemi: Arab Jews should be welcomed back in their ancestral homes Responses: 133 Rosner's Domain Bush should be measured by the yardstick he prescribed to Obama The greatest achievement and failure of the Jewish people Is Obama a Carter or a Chomsky? (WTR) Poll: Was Bush attacking Obama? Does McCain wants to talk to Hamas? (WTR) More Headlines 08:18 Report: Police to confront Olmert with new evidence 01:44 Obama says Bush policies strengthened Iran, Hamas 06:50 White House denies Bush ignoring plight of the Palestinians 08:34 Osama Bin Laden vows to 'fight' Israel for Palestinian land 06:07 Chavez apologizes to Merkel after labeling her 'descendant of Hitler' 21:12 Green giant 08:30 Palestinian-Americans mark 60th anniverary of Nakba at UN rally 21:50 Man suspected of stabbing wife, leaving her moderately wounded 14:09 Hamas: Inclusion of Shalit in truce deal must be on our terms 21:16 The enemies within 23:53 Bush offers Saudis nuclear power in exchange for more oil 17:09 New York Muslim leader forges close ties with city's Jews Previous Editions Select Day 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may 09 may 08 may 07 may 06 may 05 may 04 may

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