Barak, Fayyad meet
Photo: Reuters
Barak presents gestures to PA ahead of Muslim holiday
After government approves Palestinian prisoner release, Defense Minister Barak informs PA Prime Minister Fayyad of series of gestures ahead of Eid al-Adha holiday, presents figures showing economic improvement in West Bank
Israel presents gestures ahead of Muslim holiday: After approving the release
of about 230 Palestinian prisoners, Defense Minister Ehud Barak informed
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad of a series of Israeli gestures ahead of the Eid al-Adha holiday.
In their meeting Sunday, Barak told Fayyad that Israel will allow first-degree relatives – men above 40 and women of all ages – from Judea and Samaria into the Green Line. In addition, Arab Israelis will be allowed to enter Area A in the West Bank, and men aged 45 and above will be given permits to head to Temple Mount.
Barak added that in addition to gestures pertaining to West Bank roadblocks, the pace of operation at the checkpoints will be boosted in order to allow for faster crossing.
The two figures also discussed the deployment of Palestinian security forces in the West Bank towns of Jenin and Hebron. Barak said that Israel is considering a go-ahead for the deployment of Palestinian police officers at Bethlehem as well during Christmas.
Barak also briefed Fayyad on the state of economic projects in Palestinian Authority areas being undertaken with the international community's support. The defense minister presented figures showing economic improvement in Judea and Samaria in 2008.
The data includes a 3% decline in unemployment, a 35% rise in trade between the West Bank and Israel, an 87% increase in Bethlehem tourism numbers, and a nearly 1,000% rise in the importation of vehicles and mechanical engineering equipment to Judea and Samaria.
Addressing the situation in the Gaza Strip, Barak said: "The Qassam fire does not enable Israel to open the Gaza Strip crossings, and Hamas is responsible for that."
