_a.jpg "צילום: שמוליק רחמני")
Southern cities fear Palestinian train
In a meeting held over the weekend, Vice Premier Shimon Peres presented the Palestinian negotiating team with a train plan to Gaza; Kiryat Gat mayor is worried: “The future train passes through the heart of the city and is a potential security risk.” In Ashkelon, some have vowed that “the train won’t go through the center of the city”
The Palestinian train which will connect Gaza to the West Bank is causing worries in Ashkelon and Kiryat Gat.
The route, which passes through both southern cities, will carry passengers and cargo. Internal Security Minister Gideon Ezra told Ynet that the train
line represents “a relatively secure passage compared to other options.”
Over the weekend, Vice Premier Shimon Peres met with Palestinian Negotiations Committee Chairman Saeb Erekat, and discussed plans for the train, which is the preferred Gaza – West Bank bridge for the Israeli government.
According to the plan, the train will travel between the Erez crossing in northern Gaza to Ashkelon, and will then head east to Kiryat Gat before arriving in Har Hebron in the West Bank.
Sources in Peres’ office said that Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon are also involved in the process of approving the plan, which aims to create a shuttle service between the Palestinian territories, and to prevent Gaza from turning into “one large prison.”
Kiryat Gat’s mayor, Aviram Dahari, said he was opposed to the train passing though his city, due to security fears: “No one consulted with me and no one even told me about this plan,” he told Ynet. “It’s right to include us before including the Palestinians. I am assuming that the residents of Kiryat Gat will also be bitterly opposed to this plan.
There’s no doubt that a future train that would pass through the heart of the city will form a security risk. I am planning on studying the plan in more detail and to voice my opposition to the diplomatic echelon,” said Dahari.
Ashkelon’s mayor preferred not to respond to the plans, but the head of local opposition, Avi Ayash, said: “This train must not pass through the city center, but on its margin, in light of security fears. If security officials can ensure the safety of residents and the train passes from the east on the current train line, I don’t see a reason to oppose. I hope that Ashkelon can indeed be a gate to peace,” he said.
Internal Security Minister Gideon Ezra sees the plan in a positive light, however, saying: “In my opinion, this… ensures a clear and defined route, for a train that will not stop in Israeli territory.
"The idea is better than the possibility of Palestinian cars, which according to the old plan from the 90s, were supposed to drive on southern roads. From a security point of view, this is preferable.”
Diplomatic sources have told Ynet that the process of activating and securing the train service would take between two to three years.
