Barak mulls law to shut crossing into Sinai
Defense minister says he is looking into legislation that would allow security forces to shut border crossing into Sinai Peninsula when terror warnings are issued
Defense Minister Ehud Barak announced Thursday he is considering a legislation that would allow Israel's security forces to shut the border crossing into Sinai when terror warnings are issued for the area.
The announcement came a day after the Counter Terrorism Bureau issued a travel advisory for the peninsula.
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"Due to the change in the situation in Sinai, and the risks that Israelis might face there, I am ordering a probe into the possibility of allowing the appropriate authorities to shut the border with Sinai when the need arises," Barak said during a meeting at the Defense Ministry.
Israelis ignore travel warnings. Sinai (Photo: Tsur Shezaf)
The minister noted that some Israelis tend to ignore warnings, and said that the issue must be addressed before it's too late.
The Counter Terrorism Bureau on Wednesday cautioned Israelis against traveling to and staying in Sinai for fear of attacks and abductions. According to the agency, thousands of Israelis are currently vacationing in the peninsula. A few dozens of them are Jewish.
Israeli officials stationed at the Taba Border Crossing are making efforts to persuade travelers to stay in the Jewish state.
The CTB said, however, that any past attempts to bar entrance to Sinai have not gone over well with the Egyptian authorities.
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