Residents of southern Israel have been engaged in a battle to have the government pick up the tab to fortify their homes against rocket attacks for about a year. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has objected to the NIS 600 million plan.

Surprisingly, on Sunday, the state informed the Supreme Court that the prime minister has committed to bring the matter to the cabinet in this Sunday’s weekly meeting, seeking approval for the funds to move ahead towards providing increased protection for residents of areas under constant attack. Such a decision would pertain to residents of communities within a 4.5 kilometer range of Gaza.

It would appear that after endless court petitions and appeal to politicians, the residents of southern areas may actually see a ray of hope as rockets from Hamas-controlled Gaza continue to threaten their daily existence.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)