Olmert tours Jerusalem region
Photo: Tomeriko
Olmert: Maale Adumim part of Israel
Acting prime minister says large settlement near Jerusalem inseparable part of Israel; Olmert adds great efforts are being undertaken to complete West Bank security fence 'as soon as possible'
Although the West Bank fence serves a security objective, it will also encompass large settlement blocs near Jerusalem that are "an inseparable part of Israel," Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Tuesday during a tour of the Jerusalem region.
"Even though we're talking about a security fence, my instructions are that Gush Etzion and Maale Adumim remain an inseparable part of the State of Israel," he said.
Olmert, who toured the area accompanied by fence construction officials, said "we'll complete the fence as quickly as possible." The acting PM was also accompanied by Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and Internal Security Minister Gideon Ezra, as well as IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz and Minister in charge of Jerusalem Affairs Tzachi Hanegbi.
Jerusalem-area top priority
"We are undertaking a huge effort to complete the fence in those areas, and the objective of the tour today was to see the major problems delaying the fence's completion," Olmert said. "We'll undertake great efforts to complete as much of the fence as possible this year, including the area before us."
Olmert also noted the Jerusalem-area fence will come under the police's responsibility.
"The fence is a security fence and its objective is effective prevention of terrorists' infiltration attempts…I'm particularly disturbed by the Jerusalem area and this region is a top priority," Olmert said.
