Deputy Defense Minister Eli Ben-Dahan told Arutz Sheva in an interview of his efforts to bring about a “transportation revolution” on Judea and Samaria roads.
“The roads in Judea and Samaria have been neglected and not properly dealt with,” he said. “These roads have not enjoyed the same revolution that Israeli roads outside of Judea and Samaria have. Unfortunately, it still hasn’t happened in Judea and Samaria. I am working towards developing roads and infrastructure such as bypass roads [that avoid areas prone to Arab terror].”
Ben-Dahan addressed the shooting attack yesterday, claiming that the attack could have been avoided if the planned bypass road in Judea from the Gush Etzion Junction to Karmei Tzur further south had been in place. “A safe road, wide, with lights [could] have prevented the attack,” he claimed. Similarly, further north in Samaria, where another bypass road is planned, “here too, the whole difficult reality in which a car gets stuck near [the Arab village of] Huwara and finds itself in danger - this reality would be solved.”
Rabbi Ben-Dahan emphasized that the goal is to create bypass roads in areas farther away from Jewish communities, so as to create a feeling of security for those driving in those areas.
When asked about what prevented these roads from being built until now, he noted that “I see my job, as Deputy Defense Minister, as improving the lives of Judea and Samaria residents. I am committed to this day and night. In recent years, there was nobody committing himself to this because the Defense Minister has other important matters to deal with. I enjoy the complete cooperation of the transportation ministry [...] and we are preparing a plan for the way the roads will look in another three years - when Judea and Samaria will have a million residents.”
When asked about the fundamental assumption behind the decision to build bypass roads - that Jewish presence around Arab villages is to be minimized - Rabbi Ben-Dahan brought up the fact that this is an argument that dates back to the founding fathers of Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, but nevertheless asserts that bypass roads are vital for the flourishing of those areas. “What people need is easy and safe passage to and from their homes, and if we can help in achieving this purpose, there is no doubt that it will provide a basis for bringing more and more people to live in Judea and Samaria.”