U.S. Pressure Blocks Israeli Cabinet Approval of Security Fence

(Maariv-Hebrew) Ben Caspit - A meeting of the Israeli Cabinet to approve the route of an additional section of the security fence has been cancelled due to American pressure. American emissary John Wolf warned Defense Ministry Director General Amos Yaron Tuesday that if Israel approves the section of the fence from Elkana southward, the U.S. will reduce U.S. loan guarantees to Israel by an amount equivalent to Israel's spending for the fence. Wolf made the announcement despite U.S. knowledge that Prime Minister Sharon had changed the route so that it would not include the city of Ariel. American sources confirmed that the U.S. opposes continued work on the fence and has many objections to its planned route. It appears that the Americans are willing to accept the fence only if it is built on the "green line."


2003-09-17 00:00:00

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