Israel suspends plan to ban Palestinians from Israeli West Bank buses

Israel on Wednesday suspended a plan to ban Palestinians from riding the same buses as Israeli settlers in the West Bank, shortly after the measure was introduced amid sharp criticism.

A statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon said the plan has not been canceled but is "suspended for the time being."

Earlier Wednesday, a Defense Ministry official told Israel Radio that "effective from today, Palestinian workers who commute to Israel will return home via the same checkpoint they left and without riding Israeli bus lines."

The three-month pilot, authorized by Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, is aimed to "enhance security by better control of Palestinians and minimized friction between Palestinians and Israelis," the official added.

Thousands of Palestinians travel every day from the West Bank to Israel. They work in low-paid jobs, mainly in construction. They have to cross several checkpoints and security checks and use permits by the Israeli authorities in each checkpoint the pass.

Groups of Jewish settlers in the West Bank have long called the government to ban Palestinians from riding the same bus with them, charging they pose a security risk.

Israeli human rights organizations and lawmakers across the political spectrum blasted the measure. Zehava Gal-On, leader of the opposition Meretz faction, said the separated bus lines are "unacceptable in a democratic state."

"This is how apartheid looks," said Gal-On, noting that "separate buses for Jews and Palestinians proves that democracy and occupation cannot coexist."

Ex-Likud parliament member Gideon Sa'ar slammed the plan, saying it will "hurt Israel's image around the world."