Qassam in Sderot (Archive photo)
Photo: Ze'ev Trachtman
Negev council head: Barak not delivering on fortification
Heads of Gaza-vicinity communities disappointed after defense minister tells them State lacks budget to complete fortification project in Qassam-battered south
Defense Minister Ehud Barak told heads of the Gaza-vicinity communities Wednesday that the State lacked the necessary budget to complete the fortification of the Qassam-battered southern region.
Additional Funding Needed
Defense minister, his deputy drafting proposal calling for allocation of additional funds to fortify south Israel communities that won’t be protected by 'Iron Dome' rocket-intercepting system
Barak added that the Prime Minister's Office and the Finance Ministry would have to find the necessary funds to complete the project.
The community leaders were disappointed with the defense minister's comments. Shaar Hanegev Regional Council head Alon Shuster said Barak "realizes what needs to be done but isn't delivering,'' adding "it appears as though the political situation is paralyzing the decision-making process at the expense of the security of the southern front's residents."
Barak tours south Israel (Photo: Ariel Hermoni - Defense Ministry)
Ophir Libstein, a member of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, said following the meeting with Barak "everyone (politicians) speaks of the importance (of fortifying the south) but eventually they all pass the buck and don’t see the project through."
Libstein is a member of the forum that filed a High Court petition last week demanding that the government immediately begin the fortification works in communities located within a 4.5 kilometer (about 2.8 miles) range from Gaza, in accordance with the cabinet's decision from February of this year.
"We left the meeting very disappointed, and will therefore be forced to uphold the High Court petition," he said.
