Jerusalem, May 20 (IANS/EFE): A pilot programme launched by Defence Minister Mosehe Yaalon forbids Palestinians from riding the same bus as Israelis in the West Bank, media reported on Wednesday.

Under the new project, which went into effect on Tuesday, Palestinian workers must return from Israel to the West Bank occupied territory through the same checkpoint used to access the country, but will not be allowed to do so in Israeli public buses.

Hundreds of Palestinians travel everyday from the occupied territories to Israel for work, and go through Israeli military-controlled posts where they present their work and travel permits.

These workers, who have Israeli authorisation to travel in its territory, return home in buses often used by Jewish settlers to travel from central Israel to settlements like Ariel in the West Bank.

The move has provoked harsh criticism from human rights organisations.

The pilot project is expected to be implemented for three months, after which it will be reviewed, according to Haaretz newspaper.

The decision contradicts the position taken by commanders of the Israeli military, who do not consider Palestinians on West Bank buses a threat to the safety of Israeli citizens.