Border Police officers accused of taking bribes to let Palestinians through checkpoint

Two Israeli Border Police officers have been charged with bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in an alleged corruption scheme at the al-Jib crossing near Jerusalem. The indictment, filed by the Justice Ministry’s Police Internal Investigations Department, alleges that the officers allowed unauthorized Palestinians and vehicles to pass without inspection in exchange for cash and other benefits during the Gaza war.

• One officer is accused of coordinating with a defendant to allow vehicles, at times with unauthorized people, through the crossing, receiving payments of approximately 1,500, 1,000, and 1,600 shekels. The indictment states that in one instance, “the money was transferred in a handshake.” He is also charged with obstruction of justice for deleting calls and messages.
• The second officer is accused of providing information about checkpoint activity and allowing unauthorized relatives and acquaintances to pass, sometimes asking other officers to facilitate this. He allegedly received benefits, including free food.