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Israel Unveils New Unit to Run Checkpoints
(AP/Seattle Post-Intelligencer)Gavin Rabinowitz - The Israeli army on Thursday unveiled a new, specially trained unit that will take over the sensitive role inspecting Palestinians at checkpoints in order to reduce friction between troops and Palestinians while increasing security for Israel. The troops are given intense training in how to conduct security checks, using X-ray machines and sophisticated explosive detection devices. They are also taught about ethics, human rights, and Arab culture, said the military police chief, Brig. Gen. Mickey Bar-El. The checkpoint unit is to be stationed at 11 new high-tech terminals being built into the separation barrier going up between the West Bank and Israel. Bar-El said a goal is to reduce contact with the Palestinians inside the new checkpoints: "We want the Palestinians to go through the checkpoint without being touched by a human hand within three minutes."