The Knesset's Defense Budget Committee is in the eye of the storm regarding the construction of the counter-terrorism partition wall separating Arab-populated areas of Yesha from the rest of Israel. The committee, led by acting chairman MK Sha'ul Yahalom (NRP) while Chairman MK Uri Ariel (National Union) was on a state visit in China, decided last week not to approve funding for the next stage of the wall. Ariel explained to Arutz-7 today,
"Each kilometer costs 12-14 million shekels, and the wall is planned to be 600 kilometers long, such that the total cost of the project will be between 7 and 8 billion shekels [well over $1.5 billion]. At times like this, when they're cutting costs and budgets all over the place, this is a significant amount. We therefore asked for the exact data from the Defense Ministry and the Prime Minister's Office showing us the exact planned route, and for budgetary data showing us where the money is supposed to come from. In today's Cabinet debate about the budget, ministers are threatening to vote against the budget because of cuts of several tens of millions of shekels - so I would like to recommend that the ministers ask the Finance Minister where the billions for the wall are going to come from."
"But I don't want to hide behind the fiscal issues," MK Ariel then said. "I object to the wall for more essential reasons. It started out as a security measure, and it has now turned into a diplomatic/political issue [in that it appears to be determining future borders between Israel and a PLO entity], and much less of a security measure. This is unacceptable, and the Knesset voted against this as well... I think there should not be a wall at all, because it puts us in a defensive position. But assuming that there will be, it will clearly be better if the route puts in on the east of Ariel so that it includes Ariel and the Modiin communities, and also Maaleh Adumim, etc. But let there be no misunderstanding: It's clear that the fence will run, more or less, along the Green Line, and will not include Ariel, or Maaleh Adumim, or other communities that were mentioned or agreed to be included. The main reason for this is the American pressure."
Asked then why his party remains in the coalition, Ariel said, "This is a good question, and should be asked. I happen to be closer to the opinion that we should quit, but I would say that many of my acquaintances and people I meet on the right-wing of the spectrum warn me against doing that, so as not to make it easier for people like Chaim Ramon to take our places in the government. In any event, it is something that has to be discussed in our party faction."
"Each kilometer costs 12-14 million shekels, and the wall is planned to be 600 kilometers long, such that the total cost of the project will be between 7 and 8 billion shekels [well over $1.5 billion]. At times like this, when they're cutting costs and budgets all over the place, this is a significant amount. We therefore asked for the exact data from the Defense Ministry and the Prime Minister's Office showing us the exact planned route, and for budgetary data showing us where the money is supposed to come from. In today's Cabinet debate about the budget, ministers are threatening to vote against the budget because of cuts of several tens of millions of shekels - so I would like to recommend that the ministers ask the Finance Minister where the billions for the wall are going to come from."
"But I don't want to hide behind the fiscal issues," MK Ariel then said. "I object to the wall for more essential reasons. It started out as a security measure, and it has now turned into a diplomatic/political issue [in that it appears to be determining future borders between Israel and a PLO entity], and much less of a security measure. This is unacceptable, and the Knesset voted against this as well... I think there should not be a wall at all, because it puts us in a defensive position. But assuming that there will be, it will clearly be better if the route puts in on the east of Ariel so that it includes Ariel and the Modiin communities, and also Maaleh Adumim, etc. But let there be no misunderstanding: It's clear that the fence will run, more or less, along the Green Line, and will not include Ariel, or Maaleh Adumim, or other communities that were mentioned or agreed to be included. The main reason for this is the American pressure."
Asked then why his party remains in the coalition, Ariel said, "This is a good question, and should be asked. I happen to be closer to the opinion that we should quit, but I would say that many of my acquaintances and people I meet on the right-wing of the spectrum warn me against doing that, so as not to make it easier for people like Chaim Ramon to take our places in the government. In any event, it is something that has to be discussed in our party faction."