PRIVATE SOLDIERS BEST IDF, WIN TRIP

News Item:

Erez guards to receive trips to Europe, Eilat

The civilian security guards who were on duty at the time of the attack on the Erez crossing Thursday morning, as well as Givati Brigade soldiers who participated in the gun battle, will be awarded a trip to Eilat with their partners, Eli Orgad the owner of the White Snow Security company told The Jerusalem Post.

"All those who were on duty in the morning will receive a holiday for two in Eilat, all expenses paid," he said.

On hearing of the attack, Orgad arrived at the site accompanied by a psychologist, who was on hand to speak to the guards and assist them, he said.

"There are not enough words to praise their actions and their rapid response," he said referring to his employees.

Hadass Markovitch and Amos Segev, two guards who helped to kill the terrorists, will receive a trip for two to Europe, at a destination of their choice, said Orgad.

The company was established 25 years ago, and last month started operating at the crossing.

Currently 100 security guards are deployed at the crossing, but in the future the number will swell to 200, he said.

"Since our arrival at the crossing, the Palestinians are aware of the changes in the security detail and know we mean business," he said.

That last line... what does that mean?

Could it be that the enemy is more frightened of private security firms than they are of the much lauded IDF? Is the posting of private guards more of a deterrent against terrorism?

Here we have a clear, concise answer for those who worry about who will defend our villages in Judea and the Shomron after secession.

And what an incentive they offer to their soldiers: trips to Eilat and Europe! It makes the state's custom of awarding cheap brass medals attached to pieces of colored schmatah seem pretty niggardly.