IDF to secure its largest training base against Bedouin metal thieves
The Israel Defense Forces plans to spend NIS 7 million to secure its largest training base, following a spate of metal thefts by Bedouin in southern Israel.
According to the plan, Tze’elim training base, located in southern Israel, will be secured using radar, closed-circuit security cameras and a "smart fence," which will report any contact by potential intruders.
The Tze’elim base in southern Israel.
Photo by: Eliyahu Hershkovitz
Two additional bases, Training Base one in Mitzpeh Ramon and the Artillery Corps base Shivta, are considering taking similar steps.
Representatives of the IDF and Israel Police’s Southern District held an initial meeting to discuss the matter four months ago, in which they agreed that police cars would conduct regular surveillance around the base’s perimeter.
"we will coordinate our efforts with the Israel Police in order to ward off this threat," said a senior officer serving at Tze’elim. He blamed Bedouin in the area for the thefts, adding that it had become a "serious problem" that hinders training exercises.
Currently, metal thieves operating in the area are able to enter the base unimpeded. The thieves’ main targets are old car frames which are used by the army for target practice. Thieves have even been known to strip the cars for scrap metal while live-fire exercises are taking place.
According to one officer at the base, metal thieves have recently adopted more brazen tactics. "Bedouin on tractors literally follow the soldiers around," he said.
In the wake of a new fence being built along the border between Israel and Egypt, African asylum seekers have also begun to find their way to Tze’elim. two weeks ago, two Sudanese infiltrators were found inside the base. As the fence’s construction progresses, the officer said he expects to see an increase in such instances.
"we have breaches, smuggling, Bedouin stealing from soldiers in training. we no longer relate to the base as strictly a training space," said the officer. "there are additional elements at play here – though not terrorist cells – but we have to behave differently here than we would ten years ago, or even two years ago."
