Bill would allow cab drivers to remove passengers without ID
Bill seeks to prevent taxi drivers from unwittingly transporting Palestinians who entered illegally to carrying out terror attacks.
By Gideon AlonThe Knesset Interior and Environment Committee approved a new bill on Wednesday that would allow taxi drivers to ask passengers for proof that they entered Israel legally.
The bill is designed to prevent taxi drivers from unwittingly transporting Palestinians who entered the country illegally with the intent of carrying out terrorist attacks.
According to the bill, which was passed in a vote of 8-2 in a second and third reading, if the passenger refuses to present identification, the driver will be allowed to refuse their fare.
The committee's chairman, Labor MK Ofir Pines-Paz and other committee members proposed limiting the territory to which the law would to high-risk areas like Jerusalem and areas along the West Bank.
They also requested that the Public Security Ministry present the committee with statistics on the number of people illegally residing in Israel who assisted in carrying out terrorist attacks against Israelis.
Public Security Minister Avi Dichter said he supported the proposal to limit the territory covered by the bill to just certain high-risk areas, saying.
"We paid a high price for infiltrations of the seam-line and other areas and Jerusalem has a network of transit stops serving people illegally residing in Israel and are seen as a preferred method of infiltration," said Dichter.
Pines-Paz said the area to be covered by the law will be announced within a month, so that drivers and the police will know in what areas passengers will be required to present identification to drivers who request it.
Pines-Paz stated that if the committee decides to extend the area temporarily covered by the bill, it will be up to the Public Security Ministry to present statistics from the past year on instances of illegal residents who were transported in taxis.
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MK Ofir Pines-Paz. (Archives) |
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Any driver of a public conveyance that willingly accepts a passenger without doing a valid I.D. check, if said passenger carries out a terror attack. THE DRIVERS HOME MUST BE DESTROYED AS PUNISHMENT FOR ENDANGERING INNOCENT PERSONS. If one home is destroyed, the example will be set for all such drivers to be more careful in the future.
He's going to pull the trigger anyway. It's best he's challenged BEFORE he enters the Taxi, Bus, Moped or Rickshaw. Your attitude is just too fatalistic, why bother to get up in the morning, you may die that very day?
I think cab drivers will be even more at risk of personal attack if they are charged with confronting 'suspicious-looking' fares. I agree that it could result in discrimmination, but also in increased risk for the cab drivers. What about asking to show ID on buses? It's the law that everyone needs to carry ID at all times, so why not make it mandatory for everyone to show ID when boarding buses or entering public buildings instead of / as well as a bag search. But then again, would it really be all that difficult for these terrorists to get fake IDs? Are ordinary citizens supposed to become experts in identifying fake IDs? It doesn't make sense to charge cab drivers with a responsibility that doesn't exist elsewhere.
Asked for ID, a terrorist will shoot, stab or pull his explosive vest cord.
Of course the new law will effect Arabs only, since they are the only ones that will be asked for an identification. They are automatically suspicious ... much the same as the Arabs that were not allowed to fly from Kiryat Shmona not too long ago for "security" reasons. So now the apartheid of the occupied territories offically reaches within the green line. Jimmy Carter was prescient indeed.
It seems like the most logical thing to do, so it seems stupid that it's only just becoming law now.
Cabbies checking passengers' IDs. Neat.
Cabbies checking passengers' IDs. Neat.
A smart move Israel! It is truly uplifting to read about these intelligent measures taken to protect the Israeli society from harm. Keep trusting yourself in ALL other critical issues as well; you're doing a good job!
Much needed safety regulation. Public transportation passengers pay fare on boarding, showing proper I.D. must be prerequisite.