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Photo: Yariv Katz
Halamish security fence
Photo: Yariv Katz

Settler leaders lament cut budgets for security in West Bank communities

Recent cuts saw the budget for advanced security measures in the settlements slashed from NIS 320 million to only NIS 20 million; out of 150 recognized settlements, 45 are considered under significant threat, but only 25 have proper security measures installed.

The infiltration of a terrorist to Halamish brings the issue of the security in West Bank settlements back into the spotlight.

 

 

An initial investigation into the deadly terror attack, which claimed the lives of three members of the Salomon family, found the security fence around Halamish includes alerts but no cameras, which made it hard for security forces to know there had been an infiltration.

 

Security officials in the settlements have repeatedly warned of the insufficient suitable security measures.

 

The security fence in Halamish over which the terrorist climbed (Photo: Yariv Katz)
The security fence in Halamish over which the terrorist climbed (Photo: Yariv Katz)

 

"Someone has to wake up. We're being promised things for years now, but nothing is happening on the ground. Every time after a terror attack declarations are made, but when it comes down to it, nothing happens," said Shlomo Vaknin, the security officer at the Yesha Council.

 

Other security officials explained the budget allocated for security infrastructure in the settlements has been significantly cut down.

 

"After the last wave of terror attacks, it was decided to transfer some NIS 320 million to improve the security measures in the communities. The money hasn't been transferred, there is no new infrastructure. Several weeks ago we were told the budget was dramatically cut by NIS 300 million. That's absurd, how can you protect the residents like this?" one of them said.

 

Only one settlement in the West Bank is properly protected. There are 150 recognized settlements in the West Bank and 43 outposts either unrecognized or in the process of being recognized—according to the settlers. Data from other organizations point to a larger number of outposts.

 

There is no legal authorization to install permanent security measures in the unrecognized outposts, likely over the assumption some of them would be evacuated. Therefore, at outposts, the security is entrusted to IDF posts.

 

The security fence in Halamish over which the terrorist climbed (Photo: Ido Erez)
The security fence in Halamish over which the terrorist climbed (Photo: Ido Erez)

 

In the settlements, every few years, defense officials sort the communities according to the level of threat to each of them based on past terror attacks and infiltration attempts. Out of 150, there are 45 that are considered to be under a significant threat, where Special Security Zone systems have been installed. This includes smart security measures, such as cameras and radars, installed in a 300-meter zone separating the settlement's security fence and the closest house. The cost of an average Special Security Zone is estimated at some NIS 10 million.

 

Out of the 45 settlements considered under significant threat, only 25 have most of the Special Security Zone systems installed. In 20 settlements, only a small part of the measures have been installed. Meaning: either a 300-meter zone separating the security fence from the first line of houses, or a fence equipped with technological measures, or radars.

 

In one settlement that was recently breached by terrorists, there is a smart fence that sends out alerts if anyone comes near it, but has no cameras, which makes it difficult to determine whether there is an actual threat.

 

Security officials in the West Bank explained that even among the 25 settlements that have most Special Security Zone systems installed, only one has all measures after suffering infiltrations and devastating attacks.

 

"The situation on the ground is difficult and very problematic. There are gaps in security. It's only a matter of money, but no one wants to provide that funding," one security official said.

 

A document sent by the IDF chief of staff's office to the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee specifically states there are serious gaps in the security of the settlements in the West Bank.

 

"In the 2016-2017 budget, the deputy IDF chief set a list of priorities to rehabilitate and strengthen security in Judea and Samaria in light of the threat of infiltration that has increased in recent years. Investigations into the attacks pointed to many gaps in the security systems, and these gaps must be addressed," the document stated.

 

Yossi Dagan, the head of the Samaria Regional Council where quite a few communities suffer from inadequate security, explained that "the dramatic cuts to security measures in Judea and Samaria are a massive failure. Most of the security measures that have been professionally approved and budgeted were recently cut and some were even diverted from Judea and Samaria to other areas."

 

Yossi Dagan (Photo: Eli Mendelbaum) (Photo: Eli Mandelbaum)
Yossi Dagan (Photo: Eli Mendelbaum)

 

He protested the decision "to cut NIS 300 million and leave only NIS 20 million for the security of some 500,000 residents. After every terror attack, there are promises from Jerusalem to America to fix this outrageous lack of security, but when the next attack comes we shake our head in despair and say this was another attack that could have been avoided."

 

The Defense Ministry said in response the Finance Ministry was responsible for the matter.

 


פרסום ראשון: 07.25.17, 19:19
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