The Security Cabinet of Israel, headed by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, approves the "Seam Zone" plan. The "Seam Zone" is defined as territory on both sides of the green line (the 1949 Armistice border). The purpose of the plan is to prevent the infiltration into Israel of Palestinians from the West Bank (including the area surrounding Jerusalem), and to create a "regime" enabling effective "prevention, thwarting, and interception" of infiltration, and the prevention of illegal stays in Israel.