The section of the barrier in question runs from Metzudat Yehuda, south of Hevron, up to Nachal Chever in the Dead Sea region. Several Knesset Members requested that Peretz intervene to halt the construction due to the negative impact the project is likely to have on the wildlife and vegetation of that area of the Judean Desert.
In a letter to the MKs, Peretz informed them that he ordered a halt to the construction as a result of their requests. He also wrote that he has ordered an immediate reassessment of the security barrier's planned path in the south Judea region, including proposed alternatives.
Last week, MK Uri Ariel (National Union-NRP) organized a tour of the length of the relevant section of the barrier's planned path for the chairmen of the Labor and Kadima parties' Knesset factions, MKs Yoram Marciano and Avigdor Yitzchaki, respectively. They were among the MKs who requested Defense Minister Peretz's intervention.
MK Marciano expressed his satisfaction with the decision of Defense Minister Peretz, saying, "I am glad that the unnecessary construction of the separation fence in the area of the Judean Desert has been stopped."
MK Ariel also expressed his satisfaction with the decision. "The construction of the fence in the Judean Desert is irresponsible and is being done without logic or forethought," he said.
Ariel, who is leading the struggle against the Judean Desert barrier, suggested alternatives that would not impact the natural environment of the region and that would be less costly than the current planned construction expenses, which reach approximately 450 million shekels. Using electronic surveillance, patrols and ongoing security operations in the field, the National Union MK suggested that the projected expense of securing the Judean Desert area from Arab terrorists could be halved.
In a letter to the MKs, Peretz informed them that he ordered a halt to the construction as a result of their requests. He also wrote that he has ordered an immediate reassessment of the security barrier's planned path in the south Judea region, including proposed alternatives.
Last week, MK Uri Ariel (National Union-NRP) organized a tour of the length of the relevant section of the barrier's planned path for the chairmen of the Labor and Kadima parties' Knesset factions, MKs Yoram Marciano and Avigdor Yitzchaki, respectively. They were among the MKs who requested Defense Minister Peretz's intervention.
MK Marciano expressed his satisfaction with the decision of Defense Minister Peretz, saying, "I am glad that the unnecessary construction of the separation fence in the area of the Judean Desert has been stopped."
MK Ariel also expressed his satisfaction with the decision. "The construction of the fence in the Judean Desert is irresponsible and is being done without logic or forethought," he said.
Ariel, who is leading the struggle against the Judean Desert barrier, suggested alternatives that would not impact the natural environment of the region and that would be less costly than the current planned construction expenses, which reach approximately 450 million shekels. Using electronic surveillance, patrols and ongoing security operations in the field, the National Union MK suggested that the projected expense of securing the Judean Desert area from Arab terrorists could be halved.