BUY • SELL • TRADE • LOJ GET CASH NOW CONFIDENTIAL • DISCREET • VAULT PROTECTIOI Meanwhile, Palestinians point to Bank and severely restricting the dangers they face in the uneasy bal- movement of Palestinians travel- ance of life in the West Bank, specifi- ing between villages and cities, now cally from radical settlers. Attempts there are 14, Lerner said. by the Israeli authorities to evacuate Today, the interaction between three illegal settlement outposts last Israelis and Palestinians in the week, for example, met with ram- West Bank is largely limited to the pages on Palestinian 30,000 Palestinians land nearby, with who work in the fields set on fire and factories of Israeli- Palestinian vehicles owned industrial reportedly pelted parks or within the with rocks. Israeli settlements Some settlers themselves, usually insist they are the construction, main- ones facing increased tenance, agriculture threats, linking or service jobs. recent violence on Although Israelis the roads to the and Palestinians recent reduction of share many of the military roadblocks. West Bank roads, the But Israeli army offi- army also has built cials actually credit a series of bypass the improvement in roads used mostly the overall security — Yesha Council security chief by settlers and army situation to the eas- Shlomo Oiknine vehicles that avoid ing of movement for Palestinian popula- Palestinians, good tion centers. military intelligence, the army's abil- Israelis are not allowed to enter ity to respond to terror threats and Palestinian-controlled areas without the West Bank security fence. an army escort. They also credit what they Avital, the Ofra spokesman, describe as the Palestinian remembers the 1980s when she and Authority's increased crackdown on her neighbors would go to Ramallah Palestinian militants and improved on a daily basis — something no ability to keep order in Palestinian- one has done in years. populated areas. "We would go to the banks there "It's about Palestinian security for the shorter lines, get our pre- working better," said Maj. Peter scriptions filled in the pharmacies. Lerner, spokesman for the Israeli If our local grocery store ran out army's Central Command, the mili- of challah on a Friday, I knew I tary authority in the West Bank. could pop into the supermarket in Ramallah and find Angel challot Quiet During Gaza War there she said. Lerner noted the relative lack of dis- Avital faults the Israeli govern- turbances during the recent Gaza War, ment, which she says is making adding, "The Palestinian people in the dangerous concessions to the West Bank today are more interested Palestinians in order to please the in their daily lives and trying to get U.S. government. things back on track. Referring to the American pres- "By removing checkpoints, we are sure in the past, she said, "The result removing friction and giving our when we have relented has always forces more flexibility to operate, for been increased terrorism every example, on the ground in settle- single time." ments themselves to help protect Avigdor Schatz, the head of a cen- them and to provide more patrols:' tral region of the West Bank known he said. as Binyamin, noted the new freedom "All of the checkpoints removed of movement that has come with the can be returned if the situation lifting of so many roadblocks. deteriorates. It's not an irreversible "Statistically, there may be no move." increase in incidents, but there is a In the past two years, about discomfort people are feeling in see- 140 roadblocks and earth-mound ing Palestinians in places they were obstacles have been removed. Where not permitted previously," Schatz once there were 41 manned army said. "There is a sense that some- roadblocks criss-crossing the West thing bad is afoot." ❑ Even though security is much improved, "we need to be prepared for all possible scenarios." WE PAWN JEWELRY Confidential LOANS on Jewelry Diamonds, Fine Watches, Coins, Silver and Antiques WE BUY GOLD & DIAMONDS Highest Prices Paid 10k, 14k, 18k, 24k Platinum, Silver, Diamonds, Coins & Antiques (in any condition) • On-Site Jewelry Repair • Master Jeweler On Premises • Unique Custom Designs WE IMPORT DIAMONDS! ELIMINATE THE MIDDLE MAN PAN DoR TI Huge In-Stock Inventory $25 ' $10 OFF' EffitA $ 20 orn oisttz Watches Watch Batteries any Jewelry Repair E) WITH OVER $200 1 Incoming only. With coupon. (INCLUDES INSTALLATION) OF GOLD SOLD Not valid with any other offer. With coupon. Not valid with any other offer. Expires 9/20/09 Expires 9/20/09 With coupon. Not valid with any other offer. Expires 9/20/09 Tann 9fWfINS i Taints 9fWfLfRS TO11111FS 9fWfINS 248-363-1597 248-363-1597 248-363-1597 .1. Stop by for a fast FREE Appraisal from the areas most TRUSTED buyer. I TOririn 9fAIPS Same Location for 37 Years • Family Owned & Operated 7716 Cooley Lake Rd. • Waterford, MI 48327 248-363-1597 August 27 • 2009 15