Jerusalem area fence
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Olmert and Mofaz tour Jerusalem vicinity
Photo: Avi Ohayon, GPO
Legal hurdles impede fence construction
Works to seal breaches in security barrier are not completed because of legal debates on matter. 'We can erect temporary fence very quickly,' army officer tells Ynet, 'but are banned from doing so'
The implementation of s decision to seal breaches in the security fence is being delayed because of legal hurdles, a senior army officer told Ynet Friday.
In a discussion held by the prime minister two days ago, in wake of last week's deadly terror attack
in Tel Aviv, it was decided that security forces stationed in the area surrounding Jerusalem will be reinforced and that the breaches in the security barrier will be sealed with a temporary fence, until a permanent barrier is constructed.
Decision
Ronny Sofer
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
However, legal obstacles are preventing the execution of the project. "We constructed a temporary fence in all the places where this was possible. Nothing is keeping us from completing the work. The only problem is two legal debates around two specific locations – Sho'afat and Sheikh Saad - where we are banned from working," the officer explained.
In other words, the breaches in the fence are not set to be closed soon, and by the time they do – large army and Border Guard forces will be needed in order to keep the next suicide bomber from infiltrating Israel.
The officer said that the building of the temporary fence should not take long to accomplish, but as long as the matter is in court, the works cannot continue.
Another senior IDF official involved in the seam line project told Ynet that in most places where there is a problem with the fence's route, a temporary fence has been erected.
"This is not an operational fence, but it solves some of the problems, deflects any attempt to enter Jerusalem, and constitutes an element that helps the soldiers and policemen on the ground," he stated.
"There are two problematic places where we have no answer for this… we filed some appeals and now we petitioned the High Court. We have no authorization to construct a fence, not even a temporary one. We filed a petition for the erection of a temporary fence, and are now awaiting the decision," he said.
