The Israeli cabinet on Sunday approved Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz's recommendations on changing the security fence route in the area of the West Bank settlement of Ariel.

During a routine cabinet meeting, the ministers agreed to transfer the security of the Jerusalem section of the fence from the Israel Defense Forces to border police in a bid to release the burden of the forces.

Altering the route in Ariel is intended to connect it with the main route of the fence from the direction of the settlements Beit Aryeh and Ofarim, south of Ariel, rather than in a straight line westward as was planned initially. This places outside the fence a large area with several thousands of Palestinian residents.

Mofaz said last week that total length of the separation fence will reach 870 kilometers. Some 335 kilometers are currently operational.

Interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said changes of the fence route would accelerate the fence's completion.

Olmert declared earlier that Israel will not give up major West Bank settlement blocs including Gush Etzion, Ariel and the Jerusalem envelope.

Instead of the "Ma'aleh Adumim bloc," the term "Jerusalem envelope bloc," which includes settlements such as Ma'aleh Adumim, Givat Ze'ev and Adam, is being used.

Olmert declared immediately after the elections that he will reroute the fence and establish the final border with the Palestinians before 2010, on the condition that Israel sees no partner in sight from the Palestinians.

Source: Xinhua