A barbed wire Jerusalem

[Gimel]

The security fence around Jerusalem is more problematic than the rest of the separation fence, says Israel Kimhi of the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies. In Jerusalem, the fence "cuts up populations that are part of one functional expanse. In Jerusalem and its environs, there are approximately 1.5 million people and the moment this fabric is affected, it becomes more difficult than any other place.

"If in the Sharon region, this runs through agricultural plots, it can help prevent stolen agricultural equipment or improve the security situation. But in Jerusalem, it cuts through live flesh. There are people living on both sides of the fence who have a great fear of the future. This does not contribute to the improvement of relations between the Israeli and Palestinian populations in this expanse, which is perhaps the only place where we live connected to each other."
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=375737

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An English language article that explores many issues related to the separation barrier.

[Dagaz]

1. This is the biggest problem

But the fence hasn't been built yet. Nothing else has made the PA negotiate so Sharon is saying that they will build the fence on their terms OR negotiated terms and that the PA should come to the table to get a better deal. Still there will have to be crossing points but that might be better than the 126 or so checkpoints they have now. Anything that leads to a Palestinian State sooner is good.

[Muddleoftheroad]

2. Crossing points

Clearly some will be built in, but there is no inherent guarantee to allow people to enter Israel at their whim.

[Gimel]

3. Limiting access

This is the primary advantage of such a barrier (fence). The complaints about waiting at checkpoints, being questioned or having to be searched will only be eliminated once the need and the access of Palestinian workers is significantly reduced.

[Gimel]

4. Jerusalem, the walled city

<snip>

Kimhi sees justification for building the fence in the assumption that it will provide security, but also considers the construction "a move of desperation" after Ehud Barak agreed at the Camp David summit "to give them 97 percent (of the territories) and divide up Jerusalem almost down to the last bit, but they didn't accept it."

Kimhi headed the team of 16 at the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies that began formulating political solutions for the city based on compromise seven years before the Camp David summit. The team also prepared the background material for Barak and the proposals for Jerusalem that he put forward.

<snip>

The fence around Jerusalem is 68 kilometers long. The fence changes according to the terrain it passes through. In open areas it is very wide - up to 50 and 60 meters - comprised of the following: barbed wire, a ditch approximately five meters wide to prevent the passage of armored vehicles and other vehicles, a dirt path, an electronic fence that is the heart of the fence, another dirt path approximately five meters wide, an asphalt road approximately five meters wide, another dirt path and another barbed wire fence.

In built-up areas, such as Abu Dis and Azzariyeh, it is not possible to build such a wide fence. There a six-to-eight meter high wall will be built. In total, walls will be built in very few sections of the fence.

<snip>

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=375737