After Jerusalem Trains, Concrete Blocks On Tel Aviv Buses

Tel Aviv, January 29 – The apparent success in warding off automotive terrorist attacks on passengers by placing massive concrete blocks at Jerusalem light rail stations has prompted the Tel Aviv municipality to take similar measures to prevent terrorism on buses, following the stabbing spree last week on a local Tel Aviv line.

Beginning Sunday, the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality and local police will begin placing large concrete barriers at the entrance of each bus. The project will eventually cover all of Tel Aviv’s major lines operated by the Dan Transportation Company, representing 75% of its fleet.

Mayor Ron Huldai hailed the initiative as a breakthrough in providing security. The program, called Bus-Loaded Objects to Counter Killing and Harm, to Emulate Armored Devices (BLOCKHEAD), will, in a symbolic gesture, first place the barriers on buses of the number 40 line, which was the target of a stabbing attack last week. “Tel Aviv may be a forward-thinking city but we admire the way Jerusalem has handled the evolving threat of terrorist acts, and happily adopt the methods that have proved successful in addressing them,” said Huldai.

Indeed, after a spate of terrorist attacks at rail stations by Palestinians driving cars into Israeli pedestrians, the capital city placed dozens of large concrete blocks to impede vehicular access to the light rail stations, and those attempts ceased. Huldai and police commanders in Tel Aviv agreed to implement a similar preventive initiative locally. The BLOCKHEAD program was made possible by an allocation of new revenue from extortionate parking fines and enforcement policies. The feasibility of the program has also increased as fuel prices continue to drop, reducing the impact of increased fuel consumption that heavy concrete blocks on buses would otherwise exert.

“Once BLOCKHEAD is fully implemented, passengers on our buses will never have to worry about being trampled by a terrorist’s vehicle,” declared Huldai. “And as an added safety bonus, the weight of the concrete blocks will prevent buses from going more than thirty kilometers per hour, thereby reducing the risk of injuries and fatalities as a result of accidents,” though the mayor conceded that the latter benefit was largely academic, as traffic in the greater Tel Aviv area generally precludes any vehicle travelling in excess of 20.

Huldai was silent on the possible diplomatic implications of BLOCKHEAD.

(h/t Judge Dan)