The West Bank is a landlocked territory and is the eastern Part of the Palestinian territories on the west bank of the River Jordan in the Middle East. Since 1967, most of the West Bank has been under Israeli military occupation.The future status of the West Bank, together with the Gaza Strip on the Mediterranean shore, has been the subject of negotiation between the Palestinians and Israelis, although the current Road Map for Peace, proposed by the "Quartet" comprising the United States, Russia, the European Union, and the United Nations, envisions an independent Palestinian state in these territories living side by side with Israel. However, the "Road Map" states that in the first phase, Palestinians must end all attacks on Israel, whereas Israel must dismantle outposts. Since neither condition has been met since the Road Map was "accepted," by all sides, the situation on the ground stays the same.....as the conflict shows no signs of ending, any time soon.
IDF reservists must "give" almost 30 days a year to their country, this includes serving in the occupied territories in order to execute the Israeli government policy........some refuse to do it, others believe that no matter what, the loyalty to their country is above all ideological debate.......
April-May 2009
Night training before heading into the West Bank for one month of duty. south of Israel.
Coffee break in the training base before heading to the West Bank for a month of duty. South Israel.
Parts of the controversial separation barrier between Israel and the PA/West Bank, where IDF reservists patrol.
Reservists resting at their base, before heading out on a patrol, in the West Bank.
Stoping Palestinians for questioning, during a patrol on one of the roads that leads to Mevo Dotan settlement, near Jenin.
Reservists guarding an Israeli worker (R), who helps fix a water pipe, at a village close to Jenin.
Before heading out on a night patrol, near Jenin.
Making a small checkpoint on one of the roads between two settlements, near Jenin.
Guarding a settlement, Hermesh, near Jenin.
Manning a small checkpoint on one of the roads between two settlements, near Jenin.
A checkpoint maned by reservists, near Jenin.
Palestinian farmers heading towards their olive trees field, crossing a reservists patrol on the way, near Jenin.
During a day patrol near Hermesh settlemnt. near Jenin.
Parts of the controversial separation barrier/ fence between Israel and the PA/West Bank, where IDF reservists patrol.
A palestinian man crosses over , via an Israeli checkpoint, from the West Bank to Israel, while reservists keep watch.
A routine briefing taking place near the controversial separation barrier/fence , where the reservists patrol.
The base where the reservists stay in the West Bank, near Jenin.
Rservists securing parts of a road, after calling medical personal, as they encounter a car accident between Palestinains and Israelis cars, near Jenin .
A checkpoint manned by reservists, near Jenin.
Passing time between partols, inside the West Bank, near Jenin.
A Palestinian man crosses over, through an Israeli checkpoint, from the West Bank to Israel, while reservists keep watch.
A reservist sits in his jeep, during an escort of settlers to their home, near Jenin.
Reservists evacuating an injured Palestine man after a car crash in the West Bank, near Jenin.
A Palestinian boy crosses over from Israel to the West Bank through an Israeli checkpoint, as reservists keep watch.
Friday night at the base in the West Bank during a month of duty. near Jenin.
Reservists guarding a settlers march between two settlements, near Jenin.
Blocking a road at the entrance of a Palestinian village, near Jenin.
On the way back to their base after a night patrol in the West Bank, near Jenin.