Olmert To Bring For Cabinet Vote Plan To Fortify Gaza-Area Homes

by Tomer Zarchin
Haaretz
December 1, 2008

http://www.jewishpolicycenter.org/448/olmert-to-bring-for-cabinet-vote-plan-to-fortify

The prime minister will submit a proposal to the government next Sunday that would pave the way for the completion of the reinforcement of homes in the region surrounding the Gaza Strip, state prosecutors told the High Court on Sunday.

The western Negev has been repeatedly pounded by Palestinian rocket and mortar fire for the last seven years.

In February 2008, the government sanctioned a plan calling for the safeguarding of homes that lie within a range of 4.5 kilometers from the Gaza security fence. The proposal includes the addition of bomb-proof rooms in ground-floor homes as well as residences with easily penetrable roofs.

State prosecutors said the additional funds needed to continue the project should it be approved is just part of the government plan to expedite infrastructure development and economic growth, which is aimed at preparing Israel for a possible recession.

The prosecutors' announcement was issued as part of a petition to the court which demanded the state commit to safeguarding the homes in the communities bordering the Gaza Strip.

On November 12, 2007, the diplomatic-security cabinet mulled a proposal offered by Defense Minister Ehud Barak and his deputy, MK Matan Vilnai (Labor), whereby the state would allocate an additional NIS 500 million for the reinforcement of homes in the Gaza area.

Last February, the government approved the second stage of the plan, which included the fortifying of homes in communities which lie within a radius of 4.5 kilometers from the Gaza security fence.

Barak requested the range be extended to 4.7 kilometers so as to include Kibbutz Magen and Kibbutz Be'eri at a cost of an addition NIS 55 million.

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