Barak allots NIS 30M more for security in frontline communities

Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Monday allotted another NIS 30 million to the budget for security components in communities situated in the line of fire.

Barak's advisor on settlement affairs Eitan Broshi notified heads of the local councils in areas considered frontline communities, both in northern and southern Israel, that the budget necessary to cover security expenses would soon be transferred to them.

Barak convened a meeting with the defense ministry's director general and the commander of the Israel Defense Forces Home Front Command, after which it was agreed with the treasury that the funds would be transferred.

Over the last two months, the defense ministry has cut the budget for securing the frontline communities. As a result, the local authorities were forced to reduce the number of security personnel in the community and were planning additional changes.

The budget originally earmarked in the 20078 budget for the security of frontline communities covered approximately a quarter of the Home Front Command's expenses in ensuring the security of these communities.