NEWS: Israeli Cabinet Backs Barrier Plan, page 1

The Israeli Cabinet has approved the completion of a barrier that will totally surround Jerusalem. The barrier when completed will leave approximately 55,000 palestinians who now live in Jerusalem seperated from the rest of the city. Israel believes the barrier is necessary to protect the capitol from terrorist suicide bombers and others who threaten the cities security.

www.cnn.com
Sunday, July 10, 2005; Posted: 11:25 p.m. EDT (03:25 GMT)

JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israel's Cabinet approved final details of a barrier to surround Jerusalem, redrawing the disputed city's boundary and shifting its demographic balance in favor of Jews.

Officials acknowledged that the Sunday decision means about 55,000 Palestinian residents will be cut off from their city by the separation barrier, designed to stop suicide bombers, but promised to try to alleviate hardships.

The Jerusalem barrier, part of a complex of obstacles Israel is building along and in the West Bank, is still under construction. On Sunday the Cabinet ordered government offices to be ready with services for those affected by September 1.

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I was a little stunned when I read this story; the idea that Jerusalem would be completely enclosed by a large barrier or wall brought images of Old Jerusalem and it's many gates as depicted in the Bible and film. It's obvious, at least to me, that Israel must do something to protect it's citizens and infrastucture against attack from terrorist suicide bombers and others who seek to blow up pizza restaurants, busses and resort hotels; hundreds of israelis have died in terrorist bombings in the past.

The question is whether, by preventing any arab people except those palestinians currently holding ID cards from entering the city at all, they are becoming too isolationist. Israel has a history, in times of crisis, of adopting a "us against the world" mind-set which is not hard to understand given the hate and despite with which many countries and people have for them.

Can there be peace between Israel and the palestinians?
Will the erecting of this barrier finally spur the arabs and palestinians of the middle east to band together against Israel? Do you believe in propehecy? Stay tuned.

Related News Links:
abcnews.go.com
www.jpost.com
www.iht.com

Related AboveTopSecret.com Discussion Threads:
Palestinians And Jews Fight For Control Of Temple Mount (moved from ATSNN)
Isreali cage

[edit on 7/11/2005 by lightseeker]