Despite Dimona bombing, no precedence for Hebron fence
Defense Ministry opts to complete building security fence around Jerusalem with limited budget already spread thin instead of Mt. Hebron region where suicide bombers crossed into Israel two weeks ago
While the IDF and Shin Bet continue to trace the apparent path taken by the two suicide bombers from Hebron who carried out the Dimona attack in early February, defense officials have decided not to complete the construction of the security fence in the South Mount Hebron region, Ynet learned on
Wednesday.
However the defense establishment has, in the same breath, authorized the renewal of construction around Jerusalem.
Within three weeks efforts to complete the fence in the Jerusalem vicinity region will be relaunched after an extended period of suspension due to budgetary constraints.
Defense Ministry Director-General Pinchas Buchris recently stated that the Finance Ministry was set to allocate $69 million for the completion of the project.
Buchris and IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Dan Harel met over the past few days to discuss the prioritization of the resumed works and the two determined that despite the recent Dimona bombing, funds would first be funneled into the Jerusalem project.
Plans call for an uninterrupted barrier to be erected from Tirat Zvi through the Seam Zone region in the Gilboa, in Wadi Ara and the Sharon and the 'Tunnel Route'. The works will not include Maaleh Adumim.
"When there are budgetary limitations, the decision is made according to operational considerations," said a defense official. "Undoubtedly, so long as there is no obstacle in place in South Mount Hebron the
area is a weak point and as the fence blocks off more and more areas, so will the attempts to infiltrate Israel through that weak point."
The defense official added however that the gaps in the Jerusalem vicinity fence were deemed more dangerous. Upon completion, construction will pick up near Hebron.
