Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon has decided to delay by a month the implementation of a decision to stop army security in border communities following a conversation with the secretary-general of the Kibbutz Movement.
The decision would apply to 13 communities in the Gaza vicinity area and along the border with Egypt and nine towns near the Lebanese border.
Related stories:
- IDF to stop securing border communities
- Maj.-Gen. Alon: We can't rely on int'l force
- Sharp rise in settlement building starts
Eitan Broshi told Ya'alon that the communities would need time to adjust to the situation and find ways to raise funds for security. Ya'alon therefore decided that the removal of security measures would go into effect as on November 1.
"I believe that a community near the border that is subject to the army's security guidelines is entitled to the same security arrangements as a base or an IDF post," Broshi said.
"The decision to place the burden of security on the communities in the Gaza vicinity and Lebanese border area is tough and should be reconsidered."
Local council heads said border communities cannot be left without security and that the army's decision would force them to hire the services of security companies.
Army officials had made the decision following a comprehensive situation assessment that reviewed the status of threats on the stipulated areas and the security provided by the army.
- Receive Ynetnews updates
directly to your desktop