Building Fences

Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat went so
far as to call the fence, designed to keep Palestinian
terrorists from reaching Israel, a manifestation of
"racism and apartheid."
Indeed, what concerns the Palestinians more than
the fence is the "fence mentality": If taken to its logical
conclusion, that mentality could lead to a separation
not just between the two peoples but
between their economies. Over a period
of years, that could prove disastrous for
the Palestinians.
Some Palestinians, in fact, contend
that Sharon's goal is precisely to
impoverish West Bank Palestinians
and precipitate an exodus to neigh-
boring Jordan — with the fence as
part of the scheme.

Construction incites passion and opposition,
yet some say it will help diplomacy.

LESLIE SUSSER
Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Jerusalem
sraeli Prime Minister Ariel
Sharon and his defense minis-
ter, Benjamin Ben-Eliezer,
insist the fence they officially
began building this week, more or
less along the old border between
Spurring The Process
Israel and the West Bank, is for
security purposes only.
Others see reason for optimism.
But chances are the fence will
The building of the fence, which
have major political implications.
officially began on Sunday, comes as
Already, right-wing Israelis are
moves for political accommodation
accusing the prime minister of restor-
between Israel and the Palestinians
ing the borders that existed before the
appear to be gaining momentum.
1967 Six-Day War. Their public rela-
Though it is intended as a defensive
tions campaign dubs this boundary,
measure against ongoing terrorism,
which leaves Israel extremely narrow
the fence could help concentrate
Arab Israeli Maiza Ghurban, 30, who lives next to the the invisible "border" where a
at points, the "Auschwitz borders."
minds on both sides and clarify issues,
security fence will be erected by Israel, points to the olive trees and West Bank villages
Settler leader Yisrael Harel
spurring a resumption of the diplo-
that she visited throughout her life, but will now be off limits.
charged on national television that
matic process, the argument goes.
the fence was just a first step in an
To pre-empt a fence they don't
impending Israeli withdrawal from
want,
Palestinians
may be prepared to be more con-
increasingly
could
be
The settlements' raison d'etre
the entire West Bank. It was evidence of a defensive,
ciliatory,
as
in
the
proposal
they reportedly presented
called into question. Movements like the Four
ghetto mentality, and soon Israel would regroup all
to President George W. Bush that appeared to some-
Mothers, which pressed successfully for an Israeli
its forces behind the new line, Harel said.
what soften their demands.
army withdrawal from southern Lebanon, may well
The settlers may be overstating their case, but they spring up demanding that the "boys be brought
On the Israeli side, because of the planned line the fence
have reason for concern. One of the arguments for
is meant to follow, Israelis may be more prepared psycho-
home" from the West Bank, too.
settlements in the West Bank was that they would
logically to withdraw almost to the 1967 border and rec-
The debate over whether to build the fence took
contribute to Israel's security. But the very act of
ognize a Palestinian state in the evacuated territory.
on added significance Tuesday, when at least 19
building the fence — and leaving the settlements on Israelis were killed and at least 70 wounded in
But that is still a long way away. The American idea
the other side — is a tacit admission that the settle-
floated recently for a provisional Palestinian state with-
Jerusalem by a Palestinian suicide bomber. Many of
ments contribute little if anything to Israel's defense.
out final borders is meant to signal to the Palestinians
the passengers were students on their way to school.
On the contrary, the existence of the settlements
Following the bombing, police officials warned there that there is light at the end of the tunnel — provided
beyond the fence will force the army to allocate con-
they build responsible governmental institutions and
might soon be more attacks in Jerusalem.
siderable resources to defend them. As time goes by,
stop terrorism against Israel.
The Palestinians also oppose the building of the
the fence will become a psychological fact of life, a
The Palestinians, however, want a firm timetable
fence: They denounce it as a unilateral move that
symbolic divide between Israel and the Palestinians,
to
move from provisional to full-fledged statehood.
shows Israel is preparing to perpetuate the "occupa-
and public pressure to shorten the lines and give up
tion" of land the Palestinians claim.
BUILDING FENCES on page 24
the settlements is likely to grow.

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