...In many of the settlements there is a constant presence of Palestinian workers, who are mostly employed in construction, agriculture and various service industries. Regulations set up by the army require that the Palestinians undergo a security check to ensure that they are not carrying any weapons or explosives into the settlements.

They later hand over their identity cards to the head of security of the community, and he keeps them while they work in the settlement.

During the past week written instructions have been sent out to the security officers in settlements to carry out patrols of the area with the local IDF commander. They were also instructed to confiscate the identity cards and also on how to react in case of hostile incidents or clashes between Palestinians and settlers.

However, one of the security officers at a settlement noted that the order to confiscate identity cards was not supported by a military order. The security officers, who are employed by the regional authority, receive their instructions from the army...