Israeli Security an Embarrassment or How to Break into an Israeli Post By Just Walking In

Ma'ariv reporter uncovers shocking lack of security at Israeli military base

April 26, 2007


Bethlehem – Ma'an – A reporter from the Israeli daily newspaper, Ma'ariv, has revealed potentially embarrassing security flaws in Israeli security. The reporter entered into an Israeli military station, less than 50 metres from the border with the Gaza Strip. At no point was he obstructed or questioned by any guards, and he was to discover later, that there were no guards at all.

On the unguarded base, he found two Merkava-III military tanks, complete with armaments and ammunitions, in addition to three military bulldozers. All had been left without guards or monitors, despite the high tension in the region.

The Ma'ariv reporter also knocked on the doors of another seemingly-deserted military post, and signalled to monitoring cameras erected at the main entrance, but they received no response.

After waiting for a period of time, the reporter entered into one of the tanks and found machine guns and large quantities of ammunition.

The intruder was able to switch on the tank and prepare it for travel, and subsequently switched on the firing systems. Furthermore, the writer also found military intelligence documents.

The most concerning part of the story was that a military patrol passed near the position, without paying any attention to the media staff, and they did not even stop to investigate. The writer remained until an officer in the Barak brigade passed by coincidentally, having nothing to do with that particular post.

The Israeli military have justified the incident saying that the military tanks were "under maintenance, and that was why they were not locked". Nevertheless, the Ma'ariv reporter proved that there were no regulations regarding the closure of the tank doors, which they found very easy to open, and to make ready for battle.

Israeli military sources described the incident as "very dangerous" and pledged to bring all those involved to court after finishing a probe into the issue.