Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz (Likud) on Sunday summoned the heads of the Gush Etzion Regional Council to a meeting in his office, to discuss a new plan to increase security on the roads in the region amid a wave of lethal attacks. 

Regional council head Davidi Perl and deputy head Moshe Savil were present, as were professional experts from the Transportation Ministry, the Netivei Israel transport authority, and the Gush Etzion council.

In the meeting Katz revealed that planning has completed for security measures in the area, funding has been allocated, and the tractors will start working to implement the plans this coming January.

In the initial stage, Gush Etzion Junction will be widened, and traffic lights will be installed at the Elazar and Neve Daniel junctions. Likewise, work will begin to establish two traffic circles on Highway 367: one at Alon Shevut Junction and another at the entrance to Kfar Etzion. The work is anticipated to be completed within several months.

“The government is tested on the ability to be willing to deal with the most volatile place and give a security and safety response to the difficulties arising from the ground,” said Katz. “The Ministry will continue to stand to the right of the settlement, in parallel to the great development work being undertaken nationwide to bring the periphery closer.”

Perl thanked Katz for his efforts, and said he was convinced that the planned work will immediately improve the personal security of residents, and the security situation on the roads in Gush Etzion.

The discussion of improving security comes amid a string of lethal attacks in Gush Etzion.

Just this Sunday 21-hear-old Hadar Buchris was stabbed to death by an Arab terrorist while waiting for a ride at Gush Etzion Junction.

Last Thursday two Jews and an Arab bystander were murdered in an attack on the region’s main roads, in which a terrorist drove through and opened fire on cars stopped in a traffic jam.