Israel to build Gaza sea barrier

[Violet_Crumble]

Israel is planning to build a sea barrier as an extension of its border with Gaza to prevent attackers from entering the country from the sea.

According to the Jerusalem Post, the structure will stretch 950m (yards) from the beach into the Mediterranean.

Israeli army officials said the measure would compensate for Israel's loss of surveillance once it pulls out of the Gaza Strip later this year.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat condemned the planned sea barrier.

"I hope the Israeli mentality of barriers will end," he said, in a clear reference to the West Bank barrier, which is still under construction.



<snip>


The BBC's Alan Johnston says the sea barrier will not stir up the same controversy as the West Bank barrier, because it will be built in Israeli territorial waters and not on occupied land.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4104774.stm

[Igel]

1. Alan Johnston is wrong.

OK, maybe technically right: it won't stir up the same controversy as the West Bank barrier, because it won't be a controversy about the West Bank barrier. It'll be a different, generally similar, controversy. The "Apartheid boom" or some such thing.

My problem is assuming that Palestinians can neither dive more than 1.8 m (holding their breath for the stunning 20 seconds or so it would take to do this) or swim more than 2 kilometers. Even my friends and I, when we were younger and in the Boy Scouts, could routinely do both.

[pelsar]

2. is this controversial?....

seems to me this shouldnt even be a problem...built in israeli waters to keep out "illegals"...arent the complaints about the wall is that its not on the 67 borders? Seems to me all the " internationals" should be congratulating this effort on lsraels part. a non violent method built on an international agreed upon border to keep out people who want to commit war crimes....or am i missing something here?

[Violet_Crumble]

6. Can't see where it would be...

..and if it was to be, it'd probably be for unrelated reasons eg environmental concerns or something like that maybe...

Violet...

[Igel]

9. I stand corrected.

I was expecting more of outcry over the sea wall, viewing it as just an extension of the "Apartheid Fence" or whatever you want to call the West Bank barrier thing.


I've looked. I haven't found it, unless it's one of those things that'll take a while to build up steam. Then again, it'll be hard to stage a serious protest next to it ... it would just look like a pool party.

[newyorican]

3. If this is true...

...it will be built in Israeli territorial waters and not on occupied land.

Then I have no problem with it.

[pelsar]

5. excuse my ignorance...

The BBC's Alan Johnston says the sea barrier will not stir up the same controversy

why should it stirr up any controversy?....why is that even mentioned?

[newyorican]

7. It's mentioned...

because some editor thought it newsworthy. The controversy angle is very easy to comprehend, the more notorious barrier is very controversial. A relative comparison for the reader is provided for context.

I don't see the described sea barrier controversial at all, beyond the morbid fascination of watching an entire nation placing themselves and their neighbors in a giant open air prison.

[pelsar]

8. all walls serve a temporary service

walls make good neighbors....and sometimes they are necessary, and when they're no longer needed, they can be torn down.

as far as a prison goes...Gaza will actually have potentially better access to the world than does israel. Israel can only geographically look west, not north, south or east. Gaza will have south and east in the beginning with potential to the west.....as far as their ability to travel...that will be up to egypt, one of their brethren.

the question is if they will take advantage of that potential......


but I have to admit, in my own cynical way, I'll be looking to find those that condem the underwater fence....."irreparable ecological damage?

[not systems]

4. No problem here...

if the location is in Israeli waters.