Interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert today, convened a discussion on the route of the security fence and the 'Jerusalem envelope'.  Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, Public Security Minister Gideon Ezra, Minister Tzahi Hanegbi, ISA Director Yuval Diskin, Israel Police Commissioner Moshe Karadi, Israel Prison Service Commissioner Yaacov Ganot, IDF Deputy Chief-of-Staff Maj.-Gen. Moshe Kaplinsky, and other senior government officials and advisers attended.

Interim Prime Minister Olmert convened the discussion in order to monitor progress in these projects, especially following the deadly 17.4.06 terrorist bombing, in which the suicide terrorist infiltrated through a gap in the 'Jerusalem envelope'.   Several senior officials briefed participants on gaps in the fence, route changes and proposed solutions.  Route changes in the following sectors were discussed: the 'Ariel fingers', Gush Etzion, the 'Jerusalem envelope' and the southern Hebron Hills area.  Interim Prime Minister Olmert instructed that these be submitted for approval at the next Cabinet meeting so that work may begin as soon as possible.

Regarding the 'Jerusalem envelope', Interim Prime Minister Olmert directed that all gaps be closed immediately by means of temporary fences until they are permanently closed by the security fence.  He ordered the Israel Police to increase its operations forces and technological means around the gaps in the 'Jerusalem envelope'.  Industry, Trade and Employment Ministry Director-General Ra'anan Dinur, who is responsible for coordinating staff work on turning the crossings over to civilian control, will submit recommendations on the issue soon.

Interim Prime Minister Olmert emphasized the importance of advancing and implementing these two projects and added that the Prime Minister's Office will – on a daily basis – monitor the implementation of his instructions and the continued construction of the security fence and the 'Jerusalem envelope' in order to expedite the construction, thus providing Israel's citizens with maximum security.