The Security Cabinet this morning, discussed aviation security in Israeli airspace and for Israeli planes around the world.

Ministers were briefed on a positive identification system designed to ensure that any plane entering – and flying in – Israeli airspace will be identified and recognized in a way that would significantly reduce the danger of unidentified or hijacked airplanes entering Israeli airspace in order to perpetrate terrorist attacks.

Moreover, in accordance with the proposal by Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz and in coordination with the decision of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, the process of reinforcing Israeli planes against missiles is continuing.  An immediate budget allocation will be made in for this purpose.  Israel is the first nation in the world to reinforce its commercial airline fleet against missile attacks.  Additionally, at the start of 2008, development will commence on a new technological system to replace the system presently being installed.