Israeli Fence Will Leave 70,000 Palestinians in No-Man's-Land by Ed O'Loughlin,Sydney Morning Herald 4:00pm Sun Nov 2 '03 The ministry's map shows the fence making a number of deep intrusions into the West Bank to loop around Jewish settlements, leaving about 70,000 Palestinians and up to 10 per cent of West Bank territory on the "Israeli" side. print article Israeli Fence Will Leave 70,000 Palestinians in No-Man's-Land by Ed O'Loughlin, Herald Correspondent in Jerusalem With the Middle East peace process in deep freeze, the Israeli Government has announced measures that further tighten its hold on Palestinian lives and territory in the occupied West Bank. In its most radical move, the Israeli Government decreed a month ago that non-Israeli citizens must apply for written permission to enter, leave, work and live in Arab areas trapped between Israel proper and Israel's new security wall. Then last weekend the Ministry of Defense published for the first time its planned route for the entire 400-odd kilometer section of fence along the western edge of the West Bank. The ministry's map shows the fence making a number of deep intrusions into the West Bank to loop around Jewish settlements, leaving about 70,000 Palestinians and up to 10 per cent of West Bank territory on the "Israeli" side. Under the new regulations, Palestinians living in this "seam zone" will require Israel's written permission to live in their own homes and to cross into the West Bank or Israel. It further emerged last week that rather than freezing construction in its older West Bank settlements and dismantling new ones, as required by the internationally sponsored "road map" for peace, the Government has authorized construction of 323 new homes in two established settlements. On Monday it gave its retrospective blessing to eight "unofficial" hilltop "outposts" built by far-right religious Jews. The Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, also went on television to confirm that he planned to extend the security fence right round the West Bank, carving off all the Jordan Valley and isolating what is left of the West Bank from its only Arab neighbor, Jordan. The revelations have met with a predictable storm of condemnation from the Palestinians, internationally, from Israeli human rights groups and even - in more muted tones - from the US. The United Nations humanitarian office for the occupied territories said that the new permit system "turns a right to reside in one's own home and with one's family into a revocable privilege allotted on a case by case basis" and raised concerns that "these areas would be effectively annexed to Israel". Dror Etkes, an activist with the Israeli human rights group Peace Now, said he believed the new developments were part of a long term campaign by Israeli hawks to "transfer" Palestinians out of the Biblical land of Israel by making their lives unbearable. The liberal newspaper Ha'aretz editorialized that "the recent string of decisions reflects the true policy of the Sharon Government" , displaying "profound contempt" for the road map launched in June. The Government denies that the fence has any hidden political agenda. A Ministry of Defense spokeswoman said: "As far as Israel is concerned the fence is a security fence and the route of the fence is decided according to where we perceive we can provide best protection to Israeli citizens, Jews and Arabs alike." But to the surprise of many, some of the attacks on government policy were echoed this week by the chief-of-staff of the Israeli Defense Force, Lieutenant-General Moshe Yaalon. In what he thought was an off-the-record briefing, he said he believed that in the absence of a political process the Government's harsh security policies were breeding despair in the occupied territories, and that this would ultimately lead to more terrorism. According to the journalists, the "senior military official" who briefed them on Tuesday also complained that the army had wanted a shorter, cheaper fence, easier to defend and running close to the Green Line, but that Mr Sharon had overruled its advice to please the settlers. The newspaper Yedioth Ahronot said the general was concerned Mr Sharon's plans to seize the Jordan Valley would increase Palestinian hopelessness and Israel's international isolation. It remains to be seen whether General Yaalon's views will have any more influence over the right wing coalition than the UN, Israeli human rights groups, the US and most Israeli citizens who tell opinion pollsters they would give up the settlements and the West Bank in return for peace. www.smh.com.au/ add your comments Source file

This fence is made to enhance the transfer by observer 4:25pm Sun Nov 2 '03 print comment The ultimate aim of the proto-fascist manifestation of Zionizm is to "convince" the Palestinians to disappear. The fence is yet another attempt to contribute to this crime against humanity. add your comments

A set up to self destruct by an american jew 8:53pm Sun Nov 2 '03 print comment The wall is simply a self ghettoization..Unfortunately, since the birth of the state of israel, there really hasn't been much of a jewish mentality..Since the holacaust, it seems being jewish is just about survivalism and fear of antisemitism..Like being hated is the only thing being jewish is about anymore..so they continue to keep that hatred going, and with it, they keep their own hatreds going..Because, surprise, they negate the world, and the world rejects them..so the world must be anti semitic..If not, everyone would support everything they do..and so it goes..But when a destructive path is followed, the journey ends with a bang, not a wimper.... add your comments

HAVE YOU BEEN ASLEEP by CARY GREENBERG 11:55pm Sun Nov 2 '03 [email protected] print comment HAVE YOU BEEN SLEEPING???? fIND A BETTER WAY TO STOP MIS-INFORMED " Palistinian " young people blowing themselves and innocent others to bits- other than killing every Arab which can't and wont happen, what other bright ideas do you have to stop suicide bombers? Rather than perpetuating the hatred, why don't you spend your journalistic time educating people of the Arabic/Palistinian/muslum world that murder is wrong, and if Ala is God and Mohammad is his messenger-that God did not and does not preach murder and hatred-and that revolting against mis-informed leaders and teachers is their right and duty- and to perpetuate the theory of equality and or tolerance-- Israeli Jews are not going away-nor are the Jews of the world- it's time to accept the fact and move on with the evolution of freedom and educational progress into the 21st century. b'Shalom Cary Greenberg add your comments

....Until then the Fence will move on... by AMR 12:14am Mon Nov 3 '03 print comment As long as the Palestinian leadership and the Majority of its population is insisting on Israel’s destruction and working very hard towards that goal, then what is wrong with the Fence? Any Fence in any location? The fence in essence is not wrong in any direction and location as the situation is dictating now. The Fence on the Green Line is a must based on the deep mistrust created by this Intifada (and Oslo agreement) that most likely will not be diminished for a long time ahead. The “Out of the Green Line” location of the Security Fence will be wrong only in one term…. The Palestinians should recognized, and present, there recognition with Israel existence, Stop the Terror and be sitting to the negotiation table. Only after peace agreement (backed by a huge penalties to the breacher) will be signed off and implemented then the Fence should move back to the Green Line, not a minute prior to. The Security Fence is the stronger Israeli card for fair negotiation and stable peace agreement. Do not forget that the Fence is only a fence that can be moved or removed at will and that will happen when both sides will sign a peace treaty in a good faith. The Fence is the ultimate test for the Palestinians good faith in recognizing the right of Israel for existence. The Palestinian’s fierce resistance to the Fence, any fence, in any possible location is casting a serious doubt on there true intentions. I would add to that thesis that the resistance to the Fence even along on the Green line by some World Left Extremists is casting a serious doubt about their intention towards Israel (and the Jews) as well. In Israel we are calling such a situation: “The Buzaglo test” implying for the possible hypocrisy of the society discriminating against the poor and the weak. The Extreme World Left is by any possible account failed the “Bozaglo Test”. The Palestinians has recognized long time ago the fact that the Fence is neutralizing their best weapon against Israel…The murderous terror. Unlucky for them that is exactly what derived Israel in erecting the Fence. It is true that the Fence is holding a potential for a new borders’ definitions between Israel and the Palestinian. On the other hand no government in Israel will stand against the Israeli public pressure regarding the Fence location and will be forcing the government to bring it back to the Green Line in case a real, stable peace treaty was achieved. So until then…the Security Fence will move on! add your comments

please get over your denial by cary greenberg 1:08am Mon Nov 3 '03 [email protected] print comment If you are an American Jew- BY BIRTH, YOU WILL KNOW WHY iSRAEL WAS FORMED AND WHY the people came there and developed and un-developed area into a productive nation and society--if you are not aware- please educate yourself with facts and historical truths. You sound like you are ashamed of your heritage and that is understandable- if that is your true conviction- I feel though, that if you could somehow achieve world peace through education and democratic process in government you would do it...Right? people like you negate the world with senseless comments and you should be ashamed of your self for haveing so much hatered in your soul. Tonight- go ouitside- look up at the stars- and ask yourself- am I Jewish- am I a good Jew? am I proud of my heritage? and ask G-d to forgive your transgressions with love Cary Greenberg add your comments

To Cary by RC 1:35am Mon Nov 3 '03 print comment I just read this site, and i am also a jewish american..Since you sound spiritually concerned i invite you to read my piece in the middle column of this site.."redeeming the promised land, thoughts for yom kippur.." I am also not a zionist. Perhaps you will find my belief that Gd doesn't want Jews to murder either, to be too leftist for your taste...I don't remember learning, in hebrew school, that the jewish people had 'loopholes' in universal law...But then, i have seen Ghandi called a Nazi in a comment on this site... so, go know... And by the way, I work for free several hours a week helping kids with emotional handicaps. I also enjoy hiking and astronomy and work for peace whenever i can...So you can save your concern, if you are thinking i am in need of your particular brand of spiritual help., being that i am not a 'zionist' and do not favor the wall...I also have other american associates who feel the same way..And yes, i have relatives who were in the holocaust, as do most americans..So, i find it is rather simple minded for you to assume anyone living in the states would need to learn holocaust history..Heck, i have been to four different holocaust museums! Peace, rita add your comments

A misprint... by RC 1:41am Mon Nov 3 '03 print comment I said that "most americans have relatives who were in the holocaust"..I meant to say, "Most american Jews..." add your comments

We are facing a long way yet understanding the Holocaust by AMR 2:39am Mon Nov 3 '03 print comment To Rita C. I am dedicating much of my free time to learn the holocaust (and the history of the 20th century) for the last 20 years. I read no less then 100 (One hundred) books on the issue and yet only now knows how much I do not know about the Holocaust. Do you know why that is? It is because knowing the factual Holocaust is not explaining WHY it was happen. To understand the deepest, darkest human devilish nature and desires you need several life times to understand. I suggest you some modesty when talking about knowledge of the Holocaust… As a Jew you must know how we the Jews are getting deep inside any issue, I guess that is what makes us unique (and not special inheriting divine provided talents or “Inflated brain” as some Anti-Semites are claiming). It should take several more generations until the Jewish people will be able to summarize what happen to them during the Holocaust and coming to the right conclusions to circumvent such occurrences. Until then we should support Israel, our only homeland in the whole wide world, a world that in a specific “Right” circumstances will repeat the Holocaust (A matter of WHEN not IF). Supporting Israel does not mean holding back justified criticism. We should raise our voices for injustices but any criticism should be constructive and stemming from the love of the land and the people of Israel. add your comments

please get over your denial by cary greenberg 2:44am Mon Nov 3 '03 [email protected] print comment If you are an American Jew- BY BIRTH, YOU WILL KNOW WHY iSRAEL WAS FORMED AND WHY the people came there and developed and un-developed area into a productive nation and society--if you are not aware- please educate yourself with facts and historical truths. You sound like you are ashamed of your heritage and that is understandable- if that is your true conviction- I feel though, that if you could somehow achieve world peace through education and democratic process in government you would do it...Right? people like you negate the world with senseless comments and you should be ashamed of your self for haveing so much hatered in your soul. Tonight- go ouitside- look up at the stars- and ask yourself- am I Jewish- am I a good Jew? am I proud of my heritage? and ask G-d to forgive your transgressions with love Cary Greenberg add your comments

To Cary by RC 6:16am Tue Nov 4 '03 print comment Get over MY denial???? What planet are you on, mister? Shalom honey.. add your comments