Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert this morning (Tuesday), 7.2.06, toured
along the separation fence in the greater Jerusalem and Gush Etzion areas.
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, Public Security Minister Gideon Ezra, Minister
Tzahi Hanegbi, who is responsible for Jerusalem affairs, IDF Chief-of-Staff
Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz and other senior officials accompanied tour.
Acting Prime Minister Olmert began the tour at the Aminadav overlook, where he said: “This tour is designed give a direct impression of the area and the major effort we are making to complete the fence in these areas, and to see
what are the main outstanding problems. This year, we will make a great effort to complete the fence as quickly as possible, including in the area before us. The fence in the greater Jerusalem area will be under police
responsibility. The fence is security and its goal is to effectively thwart
attempted terrorist attacks. I am especially disturbed regarding the issue
of the greater Jerusalem area; this area will be given top priority. Even
though this is a security fence, my instructions are that Gush Etzion andMaaleh Adumim will be an inseparable part of the State of Israel in any future developments.”
Acting Prime Minister Olmert and those accompanying him then toured the Jaba
area and were briefed by security officials and Gush Etzion Regional Council
Chairman Shaul Goldstein.
The tour then went to the Rachel crossing, where Acting Prime Minister
Olmert inspected the crossing and terminal facilities. Jerusalem Mayor Uri
Lupoliansky and senior Israel Police and Border Police officers were present.
Acting Prime Minister Olmert and his entourage then toured the outline of
the fence in the greater Jerusalem area to the Zeitim crossing, where they
viewed the area towards Maaleh Adumim.