Olmert. Yes we can?
Photo: AP
Qassam threat escalating
Photo: Reuters
Olmert pledges to spur fortification efforts
In response to court petition filed by southern communities, prime minister says fortification of homes threatened by Qassam rockets can be sped up if state approves Finance Ministry's plan for development of infrastructure
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert plans to spur the fortification of houses in Sderot and the Gaza vicinity communities, a government statement said Monday. The statement was made in response to a petition filed by residents with the High Court of Justice.
The residents filed the petition after the Cabinet announced its decision not to increase funding for the fortification of houses within the realm of Qassam rockets. The statement explained why this decision was altered.
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It said Olmert had held a discussion on the global financial crisis, during which the Finance Ministry presented a plan on manners of dealing with its effects. Among other things, the plan called for the investment of large funds in the development of infrastructure.
The State allowed that if the plan is approved it will provide a means to spur the fortification of homes, and Olmert ordered the authorities to investigate this possibility.
Last week the Security Cabinet did not approve the transfer of a quarter of a billion dollars for the construction of 4,400 fortified rooms in the Gaza vicinity, after Finance Minister Ronnie Bar-On and Olmert both objected to the proposal.
The government has so far approved funds sufficient for the fortification of less than half of the homes vulnerable to the Qassam threat.
