Security Officials Warn of Growing Threat from East Jerusalem Blue ID Holders

While public attention focuses anxiously on Israel's external borders, a significant internal security threat is quietly emerging within Israeli society, specifically among holders of the blue Israeli identity cards from East Jerusalem. This group, which enjoys permanent residency status since 1967, including social benefits and freedom of movement across Israel without checkpoints, poses a unique challenge to Israeli security agencies.

Recent incidents, such as the arrest of an armed terrorist planning an attack in a crowded civilian area, highlight the danger of individuals who live integrated lives among Israelis yet harbor extremist ideologies. Former Hamas operative Ihab Omar described these residents as "more dangerous than Hamas" because they blend into daily life, work alongside Israelis, and understand societal vulnerabilities.

The root of the threat is not economic deprivation but extremist ideology and nationalist hatred, fueled by social media and concentrated in neighborhoods like Kafr Aqab and the Shuafat refugee camp, which have become large arms depots. The current fragile deterrent is a balance of fear involving social benefits, the risk of losing residency status, and economic consequences.

Experts warn that without a firm security response to incitement and radicalization, the situation could escalate suddenly and violently. The article calls for abandoning illusions about integration and demands a strict approach to prevent future attacks, emphasizing the urgency of recognizing the internal threat posed by blue ID holders before it is too late.