January 21, 2004

Israeli Wall Construction Continues

[Bethlehem, West Bank] The wall must fall! Does anyone really believe that the path of the Israeli security wall can be justified? It's so ridiculous that it's laughable -- well, more accurately -- sickening. Israel needs the wall for "security," so they have to take 50% of the land of the West Bank. Well, you know -- for security. It's all for security. It has nothing to do with land-grabbing. Land-grabbing is an unfortunate part of this security plan.

I feel for the leaders of Israel. They must have struggled over this decision for many months. They don't want to have to take any land, but they do need to build this wall. And it just so happens that their best route for the wall is through the West Bank and not on the internationally recognized borders. I mean why would you build it on your own land? Why not build it on someone else's property? Doesn't everyone build their fence on half of their neighbor's property?

This seems quite reasonable to me. So I resolve to build my own security fence. (I want protection from Israeli tanks.) I could build my fence right around my apartment on the space my landlord owns. That should work just fine. However, using Israeli super-logic, I will instead build a security fence that encloses my apartment plus a narrow swath to and surrounding Tel Aviv. I don't technically own this property, yet I need it for my own security, so I will take it. I'm sure that Israel will understand my serious stance on security, because I am merely mirroring their own.

My wall starts in Tel Aviv tomorrow. I will begin by bulldozing a few parks. If there are apartment buildings near the path of my fence, I am so sorry, but I will have to demolish those for security purposes. I know people will understand. I don't want to do it, but I have to for security purposes. Residents of the apartment complexes can easily find other living arrangements -- either here or in Jordan. If I have to destroy family businesses that have been operating for generations, I apologize for that too. Can't you see that I am making painful concessions! But it shouldn't be too difficult to find a new line of work for your family. I don't want to put you out of business, but I have to for my own security purposes. The people who used to be residents of Tel Aviv will be required by me to have a special permit to travel. I'll review travel applications and issue permits as fast as I possibly can. But I'd get in line now though, if I were you. If you work outside Tel Aviv, I'd suggest finding work inside. If you used to go to a school outside, to make your life easier, I'd suggest finding a good school inside. If you want to go to the beach for a swim, I'll generously have a gate there that I will open and close when I feel like it. Enjoy your swim! Hope you can get back in.

I'm excited by my new plan, and I'm sure everyone else shares my excitement. The world will be a much safer place after I implement these security measures. Some may call this plan extreme, but I take security very seriously.

Palestinian shepherd boys avoid Israeli wall construction.

Palestinian boy watches Israeli wall construction from his front yard beside Bethlehem checkpoint.
I guess this means that the boy will now live in Israel instead of Palestine.
It's logical to assume then that his mother and father will now be made citizens of Israel --
with all the rights and privileges of other Israeli citizens.
Sorry kid -- logic doesn't apply in this place.

Israeli wall construction at Bethlehem checkpoint.

Palestinian village on hill on the wrong side of the Israeli wall.

The only community in Bethlehem which approves of the path of the wall.
(Israeli settlement, Har Homa.)

For more on the wall, The Israeli Security / Apartheid Wall