background
The Seam Line barrier and crossings in the Jerusalem Envelope are a central component of the security of the residents of Jerusalem, the surrounding communities, and all of Israel. The proper functioning of the barrier and the crossings is essential for preventing terrorist attacks and infiltration into Israel and ensuring the proper provision of services for their users, including Israeli citizens, Palestinians, residents of East Jerusalem, and students. The October 7, 2023 attack and the Swords of Iron War have increased the importance of examining the defense of the Jerusalem Envelope. The Office of the State Comptroller has conducted another audit of the effectiveness of the barrier and crossings in the Jerusalem Envelope.
The Seam Line in the Jerusalem Envelope is several hundred kilometers long. There is a barrier along 61% of the route, but not along the rest of it. The areas along the route lacking a barrier are: 11 km along one section, 6 km along a second section, about 250 m along a third section, and several dozen kilometers along two other sections. The route of the barrier in the Jerusalem Envelope does not fully align with the city's area of jurisdiction, with some of it passing through Judea and Samaria. Some areas within Jerusalem's jurisdiction are east of the barrier (i.e., outside the Seam Line alignment).
In February 2025, the draft report was sent to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense, the Minister of National Security, the IDF, and the Israel Police, among others, in order to receive their comments on the draft report. The responses of the IDF and the Israel Police were received in May and April 2025, respectively.
On September 8, 2025, after the audit end date, six Israelis were murdered and about ten were injured in a murderous terror attack at Ramot Junction in Jerusalem. The attack was carried out by terrorists who were residents of Palestinian villages in the Ramallah area. Further to the findings of the audit presented in this report and against the backdrop of the security risks from terrorist activity originating in Judea and Samaria, in particular for Jerusalem and the surrounding area, it is important and urgent to rectify the deficiencies identified in this audit, while considering implementation of the recommendations.