MK (Yisrael Beitenu) Moshe Matalon is presenting a bill which he hopes will pass into law, thereby bypassing the High Court of Justice ruling which compels the IDF to open Highway 443, the Jerusalem-Modi’in Highway to PA (Palestinian Authority) motorists. The bill enjoys the support of 17 MKs, and it calls for annexing the highway into the State of Israel.

Areas liberated in the June 1967 Six Day War, namely Yehuda and Shomron, have never been annexed into the State of Israel as was done regarding Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. As such, they remain “occupied” or “territories” according to one’s political affiliation and military law is the rule of law in those areas.

Those favoring the move understand by incorporating the roadway into the State of Israel will permit continuing the ban on PA motorists. Failure to succeed in their mission they feel will place the Jewish motorists in a perilous situation, a situation that existed a number of years ago, which compelled the IDF to ban the Arab motorists following terror attacks, some fatal.

Minister (Labor) of Welfare & Social Services Yitzchak Herzog plans to lead a strong opposition to the bill, explaining since the Six Day War, only Jerusalem has been annexed and there is no place to annex additional areas today. Herzog believes that whatever problems remain regarding 443, the solution lies in the security establishment and not in Knesset or the courts.

Minister of Science (Bayit HaYehudi) Rabbi Prof. Daniel Hershkowitz feels the problem is a serious one, pointing out the roadway is a major thoroughfare that must remain safe. He told Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) that he is among the commuters who rely on the road daily.

The minister stated that even now, with PA motorists banned and only present in small numbers, the roadway poses a measure of danger and opening up to PA motorists officially will result in significant danger as well as a major shift of motorists to Highway 1, the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv Highway, which is already buckling under the stress of too many vehicles.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)