Fence excludes 55,000 Palestinians

The government has approved an aid package to east Jerusalem Sunday as part of its Jerusalem-area security barrier construction program. The program will see 55,000 Palestinian residents of Jerusalem cut off from the city by the security fence, which will have 12 entry points. Construction on the barrier is expected to be completed by September 1. The government has approved a parallel program to improve the lives of Palestinian residents of Jerusalem, who will be adversely affected by the fence. Hospitals in east Jerusalem will be encouraged to open branches on the other side of the fence, and the city council will open a communal administration center that will aid Arab neighborhoods left on the other side of the barrier. The Education Ministry, together with Jerusalem city hall, will organize transportation for students whose schools are in Jerusalem, and educational centers will be built in the areas left out of the fence. The Health Ministry will establish an “efficient and humanitarian service to those who need it.” In addition, quick passage through the entry points will be arranged for medical staff and equipment. The Communications Ministry will build centers of mail delivery in areas outside of the barrier, the National Insurance Institute will create services accessible online, or via mobile phone and mail. The Transportation Ministry will ensure that public transport will receive preference when passing through the fence gates. The government has approved the transfer of NIS 17 million (USD 3.86 million) to the Security Office and a further 8 million (USD 1.8 million) to the Jerusalem city hall for the program to improve the lives of east Jerusalem residents. Important step to improve quality of life Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who headed a committee which made recommendations to the Jerusalem program, told a planning committee: “The government views the completion of the fence with importance. It will already be complete by September 1, even though 55,000 Palestinians will be outside of it. With that, Israel will do everything to enable those outside of the fence to continue their day to day routine.” Housing Minister Yizhak Herzog welcomed the government’s decision. “We are talking about a very important step for the improvement of life in Jerusalem,” he said. “A project like this must ensure consideration for the lives of Jerusalem residents, both inside and outside of the fence. Security at the fence must ensure a humanitarian and respectable treatment for the Arab residents who will pass through it. Workers must be equipped to ensure that they can give emergency treatment to those who need it,” said Herzog. But Yossi Sarid (Yahad-Meretz) is not joining those who welcome the project. “The government decision on the borders of the fence prove once again that the occupation can’t be swallowed, nor does the government want to throw it up,” said Sarid. “The occupation is stuck like a bone in the throat of Israel, and is choking her.”

Fence excludes 55,000 Palestinians

Meanwhile, government approves Sunday aid package to east Jerusalem as part of Jerusalem-area security barrier construction