The Security Cabinet voted against a proposal Wednesday to fortify homes in Jewish communities located 4.7 kilometers from the Gaza security barrier against Kassam rocket attacks. Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Finance Minister Ronnie Bar-On (Kadima) led the opposition to the proposal.
Prime Minister Olmert contended, “The High Court [of Justice] cannot dictate to the government where to fortify.” His remark came in response to a petition that was filed with the court by Gaza Belt residents who demanded that their homes be protected.
Kadima MK Shai Hermesh, a resident of Kfar Aza, accused the government of abandoning the Gaza Belt communities.
The allocation of NIS 500 ($128 million) million would have paid for special reinforcement to protect 4,400 homes that are located within the current range of terrorist rockets from Gaza.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai both stridently demanded during the Cabinet meeting on Sunday that the government allocate the funds. It was decided to refer the issue to the Security Cabinet.
The homes are located too close to the Gaza perimeter to fall under the protective net of the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system, and fewer than half of those would be fortified under the current budget of NIS 327 million ($127.5 million)
A new strategy is currently under consideration by the cabinet to deal with the issue. The proposal, presented jointly by Vice Premier Chaim Ramon and Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann, calls for the IDF to raza Gaza villages to the ground using artillery if they become rocket-launching pads for terrorist groups. The residents of the villages would be given 24 hours’ notice in which to leave.