Fence gaps to be sealed temporarily
Following Passover terror attack in Tel Aviv, PM Olmert discusses ways to seal breaches in Jerusalem vicinity to prevent suicide bombers from infiltrating Israel; officials decide fence construction to be accelerated
Police forces positioned at breaches in the security fence surrounding Jerusalem will be boosted and the loopholes will be temporarily sealed until the permanent fence is completed.
Both decisions were made Wednesday afternoon during a wide-scale discussion held by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem. The discussion was held in light of the suicide bombing in Tel Aviv eight days ago.
Nine people were killed and 60 were injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a fast food stand near the old central bus station. The bomber infiltrated Israel through breaches in the fence surrounding Jerusalem.
During the discussion, alterations to the fence route were presented and alternative courses were studied. Olmert said he would bring the decisions taken in the meeting for approval by the next government.
Olmert said the Prime Minister's Office would follow the implementation of the new measures on a daily bases to make sure they are completed on time.
Colonel (res.) Danny Tirza, head of the Fence Authority, spoke of the progress that has been made in construction and the problems in sections in the Jerusalem area.
Police and Shin Bet officials updated Olmert with the latest in the fight against illegal Palestinian residents in Israel.
Foreign and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, Internal Security Minister Gideon Ezra, Shin Bet head Yuval Diskin, Police chief Moshe Karadi and IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Major-General Moshe Kaplinsky.
630 illegal Palestinian residents in Jerusalem vicinity
Security officials admit, however, that the plan is but a short-term solution to the problem and Israeli civilians won't have peace of mind until the security fence is completed. Work on the fence has been stymied by a rollercoaster legal saga which has seen Palestinians and human rights groups petition the High Court against sections of the fence they argue impair the Palestinians' daily lives.
Recent police data have shown that 780 illegal Palestinian residents have been arrested over the weekend, 630 of which infiltrated through the Jerusalem section of the fence.
Of the 780 Palestinians were listed as wanted terror suspects. Police said 30 Israeli citizens have been arrested for assisting illegal Palestinian residents.
