Mordechai visits Jerusalem

Israeli Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai on Wednesday made a tour of occupied East Jerusalem. He was accompanied by the Israeli army's chief of staff, police general inspector and Israeli security forces leader. In statements he made following the visit, Mordechai reiterated the importance of ensuring what he called security to the Israeli settlers.

Concerning redeployment in the West Bank, Mordechai held the Palestinian side responsible for not reaching an accord in this respect. He said the Palestinians have to realize "Israeli security requirements in order to reach an accord."