Reserve soldiers on the Syria border expressed frustration Wednesday, calling it 'absurd' that they must repeatedly pursue activists from the Bashan Pioneers movement, who have crossed into Syria more than 20 times in recent months. The comments were reported by Moriah Asraf and Doron Kadosh (N13 / Army Radio).
Reserve soldiers stationed along the Syria border expressed deep frustration in a new report published Wednesday by Army Radio, calling it "absurd" that they are repeatedly diverted from security duties to pursue activists from the Bashan Pioneers movement, who have crossed into Syria more than 20 times in recent months. The report, by Moriah Asraf and Doron Kadosh, includes recordings and testimonies from reservists detailing the toll of what they describe as a routine distraction from their mission.
This latest report comes after a series of incidents this week involving three Bashan Pioneers activists who crossed into Syria overnight on Tuesday. As The Zioneer reported on Tuesday August 11, the IDF retrieved the three individuals from the Mount Hermon area and handed them over to police, though a public dispute erupted when police initially denied receiving the detainees. By Tuesday morning, police confirmed they had taken custody. Reserve soldiers later told Army Radio that they had to call Israel Police's 100 emergency line themselves after waiting over six hours for officers to collect the crossers, saying police release them quickly, leading to repeat attempts.
The Bashan Pioneers group advocates for establishing Israeli civilian communities in Syria and has made numerous crossing attempts in recent months. The Zioneer has reported on multiple such incidents, including an attempt on July 6 when the IDF detained 70 activists near Mount Hermon, and on July 13 when activists were stopped in the southern Golan Heights. The IDF has repeatedly condemned the crossings as criminal offenses that endanger troops and disrupt operations, and has called for prosecution.
It remains unclear whether any legal measures have been taken against the activists involved in the most recent crossings. Despite military condemnation, previous incidents have not resulted in charges.
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