CAIRO: The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced on Tuesday his plans to intensify the construction of 240 kilometer metal fence along the Israeli- Egyptian border. During his recent visit to the border near Eliat, Benjamin Netanyahu told the press of his efforts to step up construction of the fence to “guard against terrorists and infiltrators.” The Israeli government has been increasing setting up policies to address the perceived problems of terrorism, illegal smuggling, and the flow of African refugees to the country. Last month eight Israelis, mostly civilians were killed along the border in a terrorist attack. 50 kilometers of the security fence have been built and the entire fence is projected to be completed by September 2012. Infolive.tv reported Netanyahu ordered the increase in construction to maintain peace and security. “The border with Egypt is a border of peace in order to ensure that it remains a peaceful border, the fence must be completed and additional measures must be taken to enforce security in the area” he said. This announcement comes days after a hundreds of Egyptian protesters stormed the Israeli embassy in Cairo and violently broke down a barrier set up around it during an anti-Israel rally organized to protest the recent killing of 6 Egyptian soldiers by Israel. Israel has expressed regret but refused to apologize for the killings angering many Egyptians. In the past few months the Israeli government has seen relations with its neighbors and regional allies deteriorate. Turkey another regional ally that maintains an official peace with Israel is also increasingly distancing itself from the Jewish State. BM
