unilateral withdrawal...

I haven't blogged about Israel's security fence, but now is the time.

Israel has ordered that Palestinians who live between the '67 border and the security fence must obtain "long-term resident" permits.
Guardian: Permits ordered for Palestinians

First, it is important to note that despite the heaps of criticism being lobbed at Israel for building the fence, it is a TEMPORARY measure, as is the issuance of the permits. There is no legal status change, the green line isn't moving, nor are the Palestinians being given Israeli citizenship.

In my opinion, it is better that the Palestinians "stuck in the middle" be allowed to continue to reside in their homes, as opposed to just kicking them off their land. The latter would most certainly show an intent to confiscate land (not necessarily Israel's intent), while the former at least shows the willingness to find a reasonable solution to the problem given the security concerns.

If the Palestinians truly want to live in peace with Israel, and without a fence, they should be willing to put up with this temporary fence because there really is no other alternative.

Dennis Ross, who was involved in the Camp David accords way back in 2000, made it very clear that if the peace process falls apart, the only other choice would be unilateral withdrawal. The Palestinians (or at least Arafat) knew this when they started the Intifada. It was just a matter of time before the fence was built.

I'm actually quite surprised it took Israel this long to get around to it.

I'm not saying that the fence is a great idea -- I would oppose it if there was any other way of ensuring that the terrorists can't run to the next hillside to blow up another bus.

but there is clearly no other alternative at this point.

Now...the fence is a temporary measure. It is not a "confiscation of land" -- Israel is not redrawing any lines, she is just putting a fence up to prevent terrorism (to the extent that is even possible).

Once the terrorism stops, and a peace accord is agreed upon, presumably the fence can come down.

The way I see it, this is a problem of the Palestinians' own making. If they weren't so hell bent on using terrorism to achieve their political goals (whatever they might actually be), the fence wouldn't be necessary.

Until there is a complete renouncement of terrorism, the Palestinians will just keep digging their hole deeper (NO -- suicide bombing is NOT legitimate resistance, it is TERRORISM -- pure, simple and ugly).

I really wish they could see this for themselves. I really wish there didn't have to be this ugly fence across the hillside. I really wish there was a desire to live in peace with Israel.

but there isn't...yet. maybe never.

I keep hoping the "light will come on", but given the fact that most of the Palestinians have not been taught anything but hatred and violence, it would take a modern day miracle to change the spots of these leopards.

but then again, if there is any place on earth for a modern day miracle, the holy land would be that place.