Professors for a Strong Israel
Statement to the Press -
30 July 1997
Re: "Safe passage" vs. highways
Professors for a Strong Israel calls upon the Government to abandon its
policy of "gestures" towards the PLO, one feature of which is the
creation of "safe passages" for Arafat.
These routes will make possible the free passage of terrorists between
Gaza and Judea/Samaria.
Any "safe passage" for the Arabs will quickly become a severe danger
for Jewish travellers, and will be the first step towards disconnection
of the Negev from the rest of the country.
We recommend that the Government advance the plans for east-west
highways in Israel that were presented to the relevant Ministries
by our Planning Committee:
- Development of transportation to Jerusalem, which may on no account
be allowed to remain dependent exclusively on Route 1:
- The conversion of the Bet Horon route (routes 45/443) into
the primary highway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
This route, connecting Tel Aviv, Ben Gurion Airport, Modiin,
Bet Horon, and Jerusalem, already serves an ever-increasing
fraction of the land traffic to Jerusalem.
With improvement, it will become the highway of choice because
of both improved travel time and greater safety.
- Continuing development of plans for rapid rail transport (travel time:
20-30 minutes) along the Bet Horon route.
These plans should be executed as soon as they are found to be
economically viable with the technology available.
The Bet Horon route is the shortest, topographically
the smoothest, economically the cheapest of the alternatives.
Construction will entail only minimal environmental damage.
Rapid transit along this route will create a unified market and
employment area comprised
of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and points between, including the airport.
It is essential that the right of way for road and rail development
be protected from interference by the Palestinian Authority.
- Development of the Trans-Judea Highway (route 35) connecting
Ashkelon, Kiryat Gat, Hevron, and the Dead Sea, or perhaps along
a more southerly route, with the goal of developing the Ashkelon-Kiryat Gat
region and also of strengthening our hold on the Judean Desert.
- Improving the Trans-Samaria Highway (route 5) connecting
Gelilot Junction, Rosh ha-Ayin, Ariel, Tapuach, Maaleh Ephraim,
and the Jordan Valley.
This will strengthen our hold on the Jordan Valley and provide better
connections to Jordan.
- Improvement of the route from Haifa to Jordan via Afula and
Bet Shean.
Dr. Ron Breiman, PSI Spokesman and
Chairman of the Planning Committee
Pager: 03-610 6666/28345