A grim picture was painted of the prospects of northern Jerusalem\'s Atarot Industrial Zone for the Knesset Finance Committee today. Moti Teperberg, head of the Jerusalem Manufacturers Association, warned that because of the economic crisis brought on by the security situation, the area may end up being totally abandoned. He said that sales by businesses based in Atarot - which is largely surrounded by Palestinian-populated areas - have decreased by 50%, while security expenses have increased by 150%.
Teperberg asked that the Defense, Finance, and Industry Ministries subtract these costs from the payments that Israel is to transfer to the Palestinians, as has been promised in the past. Today, again, Palestinians threw rocks at IDF soldiers outside the Atarot Airport - which has essentially been closed since the beginning of the violence five months ago.
Teperberg asked that the Defense, Finance, and Industry Ministries subtract these costs from the payments that Israel is to transfer to the Palestinians, as has been promised in the past. Today, again, Palestinians threw rocks at IDF soldiers outside the Atarot Airport - which has essentially been closed since the beginning of the violence five months ago.