Jerusalem security plan OK´d

JERUSALEM, Jan. 29 (JTA) — Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has approved a plan designed to increase security in Jerusalem. Designed to prevent Palestinian terrorists from carrying out attacks in the city, the plan approved Tuesday calls for construction of security walls, fences and ditches to separate Jerusalem´s outlying neighborhoods from areas under Palestinian control. There will be no physical walls within the city, where new measures will include checkpoints and the installation of video cameras. Earlier reports suggested that the plan would include walls within the city limits. “There will be no walls or separation fences between Jerusalem neighborhoods,” said Public Security Minister Uzi Landau, who, along with Sharon, is sensitive to the political implications of appearing to divide Jerusalem´s eastern and western neighborhoods. Sharon called the plan “an essential element in securing Jerusalem.” He stressed that the city would be treated as a whole, and “include Jewish and Arab neighborhoods as one.” The plan was approved after Jerusalem was the target of two terror attacks during the past week, and eight since the Palestinian intifada began 16 months ago. The plan was drafted by the head of the National Security Council, Maj. Gen. Uzi Dayan, and Jerusalem Police Chief Mickey Levy. Asked whether a security plan aimed at blocking terrorist infiltration was relevant when defense officials warn of possible Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli cities, Landau said, “What is essential is our complete security control over all the area.” Similar security plans for Jerusalem have been rejected in the past, because of both cost and political concerns. A senior police source was skeptical that this plan would be adopted, saying Tuesday that such proposals are discussed after every wave of terror attacks, yet nothing is ever done.