Barak, Blair discuss diplomacy and security in TA meeting

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Quartet Middle East envoy Tony Blair discussed a series of regional matters, including diplomatic and security issues, during a meeting in Barak's office at the Kirya defense complex in Tel Aviv on Tuesday. Prior to the meeting, Barak spoke about the earlier successful test of the advanced Arrow 2 ballistic missile defense system. Barak called the successful test "an additional achievement for the multi-layered interception system that will defend Israel from rockets and missiles." He also referred to the demolition of the east Jerusalem home of a Palestinian terrorist who carried out a lethal bulldozer attack in the capital last year. "Today, the home of the terrorist from Sur Bahir, who was involved in the first bulldozer attack, was demolished," he said. "The move is an important punitive measure and we must see such steps taken in the future in a much shorter time than in this case."