Israeli security forces have beefed up patrols along the seam line that separates Israel from the West Bank. The security fence, erected some 20 years ago, has not been properly maintained and is filled with gaping holes where illegal Palestinian workers and also terrorists and criminal elements slip through. The Ministry of Defense is seeking 360 million shekels to repair and upgrade the security barrier, including building a 9 meter high concrete wall along 40 kilometers of the barrier.

As an essential element in the war against Arab terror, how did the crucial security barrier become so neglected? We put this question to Col. (retired) Dany Tirza, who was head of strategic planning in the Central Command and in charge of deigning the security barrier. He told reporter Arieh O’Sullivan that the security barrier worked but has been neglected as the IDF tactics changed.

(photo: flash90)