OMEN
04-30-2006, 10:32 PM
Jerusalem - The Israeli cabinet gave the green light on Sunday to the construction of a temporary fence around parts of Jerusalem and modified the route of its West Bank separation barrier, moving forward with interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's plan to quickly define Israel's final borders.
Palestinians criticised the moves, saying that Israel was imposing its will on disputed land and trying to strengthen its claim to sovereignty of Jerusalem.
The cabinet voted to put up the temporary fencing around areas of Jerusalem abutting the West Bank, plugging gaps in the unfinished larger barrier while the final route was worked out.
It also rerouted an area near Ariel, a major settlement deep in the West Bank.
"We must make a supreme effort to complete the security barrier wherever possible," Olmert told the ministers.
"The decisions we take today will allow us to complete the construction of the fence very quickly in critical areas, and therefore improve our ability to thwart attempted attacks."
Forming a coalition government
Israel began construction of the barrier four years ago, saying it needed to keep suicide bombers out of the country.
Olmert says the barrier will serve as the basis for Israel's final border with the West Bank.
Olmert, whose Kadima Party won the March 28 elections, says he hopes to reach an agreed settlement with the Palestinians.
But, he will move forward unilaterally if he concludes there is no negotiating partner on the other side. Olmert is in the final stages of forming a coalition government.
After last month's swearing-in of the Hamas-led Palestinian government, unilateral Israeli action appears increasingly likely. Hamas refuses to recognise Israel's right to exist.
Israel began building the 760km system of electronic fences, concrete walls and trenches after hundreds of Israelis were killed in suicide bombings and other Palestinian attacks.
Wants it complete by year-end
A Palestinian who carried out a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv two weeks ago reportedly entered Israel through the porous Jerusalem area.
The barrier, which is about halfway complete, dips into the West Bank at several points, and Palestinians call it a land grab.
Olmert recently said he wanted the entire barrier completed by the end of this year.
The section around Jerusalem is especially contentious because of conflicting claims to the city.
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Palestinians criticised the moves, saying that Israel was imposing its will on disputed land and trying to strengthen its claim to sovereignty of Jerusalem.
The cabinet voted to put up the temporary fencing around areas of Jerusalem abutting the West Bank, plugging gaps in the unfinished larger barrier while the final route was worked out.
It also rerouted an area near Ariel, a major settlement deep in the West Bank.
"We must make a supreme effort to complete the security barrier wherever possible," Olmert told the ministers.
"The decisions we take today will allow us to complete the construction of the fence very quickly in critical areas, and therefore improve our ability to thwart attempted attacks."
Forming a coalition government
Israel began construction of the barrier four years ago, saying it needed to keep suicide bombers out of the country.
Olmert says the barrier will serve as the basis for Israel's final border with the West Bank.
Olmert, whose Kadima Party won the March 28 elections, says he hopes to reach an agreed settlement with the Palestinians.
But, he will move forward unilaterally if he concludes there is no negotiating partner on the other side. Olmert is in the final stages of forming a coalition government.
After last month's swearing-in of the Hamas-led Palestinian government, unilateral Israeli action appears increasingly likely. Hamas refuses to recognise Israel's right to exist.
Israel began building the 760km system of electronic fences, concrete walls and trenches after hundreds of Israelis were killed in suicide bombings and other Palestinian attacks.
Wants it complete by year-end
A Palestinian who carried out a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv two weeks ago reportedly entered Israel through the porous Jerusalem area.
The barrier, which is about halfway complete, dips into the West Bank at several points, and Palestinians call it a land grab.
Olmert recently said he wanted the entire barrier completed by the end of this year.
The section around Jerusalem is especially contentious because of conflicting claims to the city.
http://www.news24.com/Images/Source_Images/AP.gif