IV. Appendices

Article 2: Talking Points from the Israel Ministry of Defense (http://www.seamzone.mod.gov.il/Pages/ENG/news.htm)

Cabinet approves the route of the Security Fence, 8/10/2003

The IDF and the defense establishment presented the cabinet with its plans vis-a-vis the route for the security fence and its continued implementation. The government agreed as follows:

A. The government reiterates its previous commitment to the establishment of the Security Fence as one of utmost importance and that there is a strong security need for building a security barrier in the Security Fence and in the Jerusalem envelope.

B. In accordance with the above, the government:

• Approved the building of a barrier to prevent terror attacks according to the guidelines and the route presented today by the IDF and the Defense Ministry.
• This barrier, like other parts in the Security Fence, is solely for defense purposes and does not represent any kind of political border.
• Any changes in the route of the barrier will be brought to the Prime Minister and Defense Minister for approval.
• Prime Minister Sharon, Defense Minister Mofaz and Finance Minister Netanyahu will agree on a perennial budget required for the barrier, which will be brought to the government for approval.
• The security services will agree on a method for protecting Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria against the existing threats while the Security Fence barrier is being constructed.
• Every effort will be taken to reduce disturbances to the quality of life for Palestinians that are likely to occur during the construction of the barrier.

Eliminating terror activity, 2/10/2003

There are two unequivocal parts in the equation. The figures and the conclusion.
The fence around Gaza has proven itself as very effective. Only two terrorists, British citizens, came through the Erez crossing point and committed a terror attack in Tel Aviv. Three others were caught right after they crossed the fence.
135 homicide bombers came from Judea and Samaria and conducted 121 terror attack resulting in the death of 423 people and wounding 2886 others.
The conclusion is quite clear: A security fence between Israel and the area of Judea

Facts & Figures, 13/8/2003

• The first stage of the Security Fence , 140 km, was completed on July 31 2003
• 123 km are in the Salem-Elkana area and 17.8 km in the northern and southern sections of Jerusalem
• Only 8km of the 140km consist of concrete sections to prevent direct shooting
• 41 agricultural gates exist along the route to enable the Palestinian farmers access to their lands
• 9 crossing points for pedestrians and vehicles will substitute existing Check Points
• 4 Check Points for transfer of goods will be established, similar to the Karni Check Point. A 5th Check Point will be established once the whole project is completed
• The second stage from Salem towards Bezeq, a total of 42km will be completed by the end of 2003
• Only 1% from Judea and Samaria were seized (not confiscated) in the first two stages of the project
• No houses were destroyed
• Owners of seized land are offered compensation for land and crop (next 5 years)
• Rate of crimes ( robbery, theft) along the route has decreased by 30%
• 15 Archaeological sites have been discovered
• Over 63,000 olive trees have been uprooted and replanted; thousands of Iris bulbs from the Gilboa mountain were uprooted and replanted.