Israeli police in Jerusalem. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – Israelis who travel to the West Bank’s Area B with the hope of saving money on routine errands often end up mugged, the Israel Police said Sunday.

Area B, which contains about 440 Palestinian villages, has been under Palestinian civil control and shared Israeli-Palestinian security control since the 1993 Oslo Accords. Israelis have been frequenting Palestinian villages in that area for years because its dozens of auto repair shops, car wash facilities, nurseries and florists offer considerably lower prices than their Israeli counterparts.

While Israelis are barred from entering Area A, which is under full Palestinian control, there are no travel restrictions regarding Area B.

Nevertheless, both the Israeli military and police have repeatedly warned that Israelis traveling to Palestinian villages in Area B may be victimized by crimes or terrorist attacks.

“We urge Israelis to exercise discretion and refrain from traveling to the area unnecessarily,” a police source said.