Gush Etzion Fence Vote Delayed

PM Netanyahu postponed today's cabinet vote over the very controversial security fence between Gush Etzion and Jerusalem.

Out of the blue, last week Netanyahu said there would be a cabinet vote on the fence on Sunday.

After a lot of resistance from Jews and Arabs in Gush Etzion, as well as environmentalists, the plans to continue building the fence was frozen years ago. Residents were very surprised and angry when the issue suddenly came up again.

The Jerusalem segment of the fence would separate Gush Etzion from Jerusalem, and other segments of the fence would split Gush Etzion in half, as well as block it off from the areas around it.

There are long term plans to build a highway from Gush Etzion to the Dead Sea, which would cut the trip down to approximately 20 minutes. This fence could kill that plan too.

Netanyahu delayed the discussion in the cabinet until next week.