Israel Approves an Expanded Security Barrier

[Herschel]

Israel's government on Wednesday approved construction of new barriers deep inside the West Bank to shield several large Jewish settlements. The move significantly expands the scope of the already contentious project to wall off much of the West Bank, and could draw penalties from the Bush administration.

Palestinians angrily denounced the decision, saying it would cost them large tracts of land, turn many Palestinian communities into isolated enclaves and greatly complicate any future peace negotiations.

"If President Bush allows this wall to be built it will be the biggest failure of the peace process," said Saeb Erekat, a leading Palestinian politician. "It is a land grab with one aim: to sabotage President Bush's vision of a two-state solution."

The Bush administration, which has urged Israel to leave the settlements outside the barrier, reacted cooly but refrained from outright criticism. "Our views on the fence remain unchanged," the State Department spokesman, Richard A. Boucher said. "We will look carefully at this decision."

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http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/02/international/middleeast/02MIDE.html?ex=1065672000&en=b0bb532837539df3&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE

I applaud the decision. The security of the settlements is enhanced. Terror is not being rewarded. A potential boundary is created.

[Forkboy]

1. Maybe they can takeover the surrounding countries

like the Soviet Union did.Now THAT'S security :eyes:

[Herschel]

4. No countries are conquered

Though Israel has the might. She is a moral country.

[Darranar]

7. Last time I checked...

MORAL countries don't build huge walls on occupied territory, causing devestating problems for the populace within. MORAL countries don't aid the building of settlements in that territory. MORAL countries don't buldoze trees, houses, and fields for the building of those settlements. MORAL countries don't justify all this junk with the facade of "security."

And Israel lacks the might to conquer and keep hold of four countries. They couldn't even hold LEBANON, for goodness sake!

[Darranar]

2. And, of course...

a devestating humanitarian consequence is leveled on the Palestinians. This HELPS the terrorists - it doesn't HURT them.

All to protect a bunch of ILLEGITIMATE, ILLEGAL, and IMMORAL settlements - and to legitimize an immoral and impractical land-grab. This "suggested border" is horrible for the Palestinians.

I hate you, Ariel Sharon.

[Herschel]

3. Hating the old warrior will not help

The suggested border is simply suggested. There will be sacrifices for an eventual settlement.

[Darranar]

5. There will be?

not with a HUGE WALL protecting those "sacrifices..." This, once again, will legitimize a vile land-grab. It will put the Palestinians in an even worse situation. If negotiations ever occur, this will add "basis" for the Israeli gvoernemnt to keep these settlements and prevent any sort of real Palestinian state.

Hating a vile war criminal won't help, true. That doesn't change the sentiment.

[Herschel]

6. You must realize

many settlements find themselves on the wrong side of the wall. It could have been erected in an even more progressive manner.

[Darranar]

8. "Many"...

a few uninportant ones - not the oens that prevent a real Palestinian state.

What do you mean by "progressive?"

[Herschel]

9. Unimportant

Do you consider 150,000 Jews unimportant? Oh, my.

[Darranar]

10. No, I don't...

but far less than 150,000 Jews are in those settlements. My point is this: The settlements that have the worst impact on Palestinian life are being protected by these walls. In addition, these walls themselves will cause tremendous interference in Palestinian life and vastly increase the problems already caused by these settlements.

Do you consider 3,000,000 Palestinians unimportant?

[sushi]

11. Do you think

he'll answer your question?

[Herschel]

13. I believe there are 150,000

left unshielded. Palestinian interests are best served by unconditional surrender.

[Darranar]

14. No they aren't...

because then they can get abused freely.

The fact is that in order for peace Israel is the only party that can accomplish anything - for now. In order to move agianst the terrorists, a Palestinian leader must have the people behind him, which means that he must have already extracted concessions from Israel.

[Bluerthanblue]

15. how can you possibly believe that?

?
unconditional surrender? Why? because Israel 'wants' what she wants?

How well are the Palestinan people within Israel treated???-

[bluesoul]

12. Illegal settlements/settlers

Those settlements are illegal to start with. Not even mentioning the rest of the violations of international law, UN conventions...