The government decided Wednesday against a Shin Bet proposal to withdraw from the village of Rajar on the border with Lebanon, adopting instead recommendations by the National Security Council to boost IDF presence south of the village to prevent the infiltration of hostile elements from Lebanon.
The government also decided to funnel financial assistance for residents of the village, all of whom hold Israeli citizenship although some of them live on Lebanese territory.
A year ago Former Shin Bet chief Avi Dichter proposed that Israel withdraw from parts of the village that fall in Lebanon. Channel 2 reported at the time that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is inclined to adopt Dichter’s plan.
Last year Sharon demanded the National Security Council draft a list of possible solutions to the border village. Six alternative plans were submitted.
In August 2001 Ynet reported that the security establishment is weighing a withdrawal from the village. Security officials were concerned about the Hizbullah activity around parts of the village that fall in Lebanon.