by Corinne Whitlatch
Churches for Middle East Peace
It was the day before Israel Prime Minister Sharon's visit
to Rome and Pope John Paul's voice was unusually firm as he
spoke to the crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square on Sunday,
November 16. "The construction of the wall between Israeli
people and the Palestinian people is seen by many as a new obstacle
on the road leading to peaceful cohabitation," the Pope
said. Criticism of Israel was unusual from this pope, known
for his dialogue with Judaism and consistent championing of
the right of Israel to live in peace. "In reality, the
Holy Land does not need walls, but bridges. Without reconciliation
between people, there cannot be peace."
Israel's construction of a barrier, intended to secure Israelis
from violent attacks by West Bank Palestinians, has become a
hot issue. There has been considerable coverage by the media;
photos of the massive concrete walls and coils of razor wire
along with maps of a fragmented West Bank. These visuals bring
to mind prisons or reservations and are ready symbols of a military
occupation that belies all hope for either peace between two
sovereign states or reconciliation between the peoples.
With the Road Map peace plan seemingly dormant and new peace
initiatives as yet unofficial and embryonic, we need to focus
on the Sharon government's effort to change facts-on-the-ground.
The Facts There is considerable debate
about what term to use. "Security fence" is the preferred
Israeli term. The New York Times uses "security barrier."
"Apartheid Wall" is favored by some Palestinians and
solidarity organizations. The Heads of Churches in Jerusalem
use "Separation Wall," as does the National Council
of Churches. Actually, the 60-yard-wide physical barriers are
a combination of concrete walls (up to 25 feet high with gun
turrets), steel barriers, razor wire, electronic sensors, trenches
and patrol roads. The United Nations Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that the barrier
will disrupt the lives of 600,000 Palestinians — nearly
one-third of West Bank Palestinians. This includes Palestinians
encircled by the barrier as well as those who need to cross
it to reach farms or jobs. The plan would put nearly 15 percent
of West Bank land on the Israeli side.
Based on the detailed map that Israel presented in October,
the U.N. calculates that only 11 percent of the barrier is to
be built on the "Green Line" — the 1949 armistice
line that defined pre-1967 Israel and the West Bank. Israel's
map shows a twisting route of more than 400 miles that extends
deeply into the West Bank to include Jewish settlements. About
one-quarter of the barrier has been built, mostly in the northern
and northwestern West Bank and near Jerusalem.
Not included on the Israeli map is the Jordan Valley section.
The Associated Press reported on October 24 that a senior Israeli
official said there has been approval of an extension of the
fence that would cut the Jordan Valley off from the rest of
the West Bank, though funds for its construction have not been
allocated. This separation of the West Bank Palestinians from
Jordan, by Israeli-controlled and settled territory, would further
diminish the potential for a viable Palestinian economy and
a basis of sovereignty.
Cost estimates keep increasing. In October, Israeli newspapers
reported that initial estimates had jumped from NIS 4.5 billion
to NIS 7.5 billion ($1.68 billion); not including the cost of
regular maintenance, estimated at NIS 160,000 ($35,800) per
kilometer. The chair of the Knesset Economics Committee calculated
a total cost of NIS 15 billion ($3.35 billion), including the
extensions to Ariel and other settlements and the Jordan Valley
section along with the infrastructure and maintenance.
"Fortress Jerusalem" Coined
by Geoffrey Aronson of the Foundation for Middle East Peace,
the term suits the plan of Prime Minister Sharon's government
to undermine not only the possibility of Jerusalem being the
capital of a sovereign Palestine, but also its historical role
as the hub of Palestinian life and economy. Aronson foretells:
"Despite its vaunted security function, the barriers now
being constructed will fail as a security measure and will cause
endemic Palestinian poverty, bloodshed, and resistance."
In conjunction with the large settlements built to the south,
north and east of Jerusalem, the separation barriers are meant
to complete the isolation of East Jerusalem Palestinians from
those on its West Bank periphery. Dr. Menachem Klein put it
most starkly, "Israel wants to destroy Arab metropolitan
Jerusalem and control it without annexing it." An expert
on Jerusalem, Dr. Klein was an advisor to the Israeli delegation
at the Camp David Summit in July 2000 and participated in the
Geneva agreement talks. Lecturing in Washington D.C., he said
to the audience invited by Americans for Peace Now: "The
wall is not only defensive. It is aggressive and dominating,
because it preserves control over poor and neglected Palestinian
areas."
B'Tselem, an Israeli human rights center, reports that two
sections of the separation barrier, north and south of the city,
have been completed. In September, Israel began groundwork for
another section along the east. Stating that "the barrier
will completely seal the municipal seam line and destroy the
existing fabric of life," B'Tselem noted that "a large
percentage of residents of the suburbs receive medical services
in al-Moqassad Hospital and Augusta Victoria Hospital [Lutheran
World Federation owned and operated], both located in East Jerusalem."
The Rosary Sisters of Jerusalem write: "Our congregation,
which was founded in Jerusalem, is tremendously affected by
this wall. The route of the wall will cut off areas of northern
Jerusalem and so our convent will be in the enclosed zone behind
the wall.The wall separates our convent and members of the Christian
community, 400 families, from the parish church and so our religious
freedom is also restricted."
"We pray that peace will prevail in this country hence
we ask all those who seek justice to support us in finding proper,
peaceful, and just solutions that would bring people together
and not separate them by walls which increase the hardships
of innocent civilians." Imprisoned
Bethlehem Along the south rim of Jerusalem lies Bethlehem,
with the town of Beit Jala on its west and the town of Beit
Sahour on its east. Rachel's Tomb, and a major checkpoint, stand
at the entrance to Bethlehem on the road from Jerusalem. The
overlooking Jewish neighborhoods, Gilo and Har Homa, qualify
as settlements since they are built on West Bank land that Israel
conquered and annexed in 1967. The separation wall has been
completed there, except for the area of Rachel's Tomb, where
an exceptionally high fence is to be built. A July U.N. report
notes: "Overall, the construction of the Wall in the Bethlehem
area will mean confiscation of some 4,500 acres."
In a "Statement Regarding the Separation Wall," the
Bishops and Patriarchs of Jerusalem wrote that the consequences
of the separation wall around Bethlehem "will be devastating
to the Christian Community; not least the psychological impact
on daily life. The community will be isolated following the
deprivation of access to land and freedom of movement."
They express their "determination to do all in our power
to work for peace in this Holy Land — a peace that is
concerned with the well-being of every resident of this land,
be they Israeli or Palestinian."
U.S. Policy on the Fence President Bush,
National Security Advisor Rice and Secretary of State Powell
have all criticized Israel's construction of a wall because
of its intrusion into Palestinian territory. The Secretary has
said: "A nation is within its rights to put up a fence
if it sees the need for one." However, he said, "in
the case of the Israeli fence we are concerned when the fence
crosses over onto the land of others."
Speaking in London on November 19, the President affirmed
a commitment to a viable, independent state for the Palestinian
people and security and recognition for the state of Israel.
He specifically asked Israel to "not prejudice final negotiations
with the placement of walls and fences." Israel rejected
the criticism, saying construction would proceed as planned.
Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said: "We have reached a
clear and unequivocal decision to build this fence to prevent
the extremists from attacking us." Halting the construction
of the security fence was cited, a few days later, by Palestinian
Prime Minister Qureia as a precondition to a summit with Sharon.
In the five months since the separation wall issue surfaced,
there have been sporadic reports that the Administration would
rebuke Israel for some of its construction activities in the
West Bank by reducing the amount of loan guarantees.
To help Israel's failing economy, Congress included $9 billion
in loan guarantees to Israel (provided over three years) in
the supplemental appropriations for FY2003. (Israel could borrow
the $9 billion from commercial banks at a lower rate because
the U.S. would guarantee the loans against default.) Law stipulates
that the loan guarantees can be reduced by an amount equal to
the amount Israel spends each year on settlements in the occupied
territories. That raises the question whether the wall is a
settlement-related expenditure or a security-related expenditure.
After weeks of negotiations between National Security Advisor
Rice and Sharon's chief of staff, it was announced on November
25 that $289.5 million would be "voluntarily" deducted.
Calling the decision "largely symbolic," The Washington
Post reported that while U.S. officials said the figure was
$40 million higher because of the fence construction, an Israeli
official said: "From our point of view it does not include
the fence." Building Bridges
As the year ends, there are new hopes for Israeli-Palestinian
peacemaking. The Road Map peace plan received a unanimous endorsement,
sponsored by Russia, from the United Nations Security Council
on November 19. The Geneva Accord, a detailed final status agreement
worked out by former Palestinian and Israeli negotiators, has
squelched the commonly-held perception that there is no credible
partner for peacemaking.
The will to feel compassion for the "other" — the
enemy — is a fundamental building block for peacemaking.
Security-credentialed Israelis are now condemning the Sharon
Government's actions and policies as being immoral treatment
of the Palestinians as well as disastrous for Israel. American
Jewish leaders and politicians are beginning to question their
protective stance toward Israel.
Avraham Shalom, a former head of Israel's security service,
said about the barrier complex: "It creates hatred, it
expropriates land and annexes hundreds of thousands of Palestinians
to the state of Israel. The result is that the fence achieves
the exact opposite of what was intended. The more we support
the fence, they lose their dream and hope for an independent
Palestinian state."
The Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian populace have
been devastated-psychologically, physically and economically-by
the last 38 months of violence, as have been the Israelis. For
Palestinians and for Israelis, it will be difficult to restore
a sense of confidence in a political process, as well as trust
in political leaders and hope for a better future.
Suggested Action
There is no quick fix to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
However, there are numerous action and policy changes that can
be undertaken immediately that could improve peoples' lives
and awaken hope for peacemaking. One of the most concrete and
visible actions would be for Israel to tear down the Separation
Wall that has been built on West Bank land. This is unlikely
unless the United States government uses its considerable influence
to convince Israel and Israel's supporters in the United States
that this is necessary and in Israel's best interest as well.
Call on the White House and Congress to tear down the separation
wall. Make these points:
- I am deeply distressed by the building of the separation
wall by Israel.
- The wall is resulting in the de facto imprisonment of the
Palestinian population and eliminates hope for a peaceful
resolution of the Middle East conflict.
- Reducing the loan guarantees is only symbolic unless construction
of the wall ends.
- I join with the National Council of Churches and call for
Israel to tear down the separation wall that is being erected.
This is a hot issue and calls are certain to be tabulated.
Tell the receptionist that you want to leave a message about
foreign policy; you may be transferred to the Foreign Policy
Legislative Aide's phone. Identify yourself by name, and church
or denomination if you're comfortable with that.
The White House Comments line is (202) 456-1111. Call the
Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121 to reach your Representative
and two Senators. You can also leave a message on the Web site
of some Representatives and Senators. Go to www.senate.gov
and www.house.gov.
The 215th General Assembly: "Urg[es] the Israeli government
to end its expansionist policies of confiscation of land and
water resources and the building and enlarging of settlements."
(Item 12-01 - Resolution on Israel and Palestine, B3)
The National Council of Churches' General Assembly, on November
6, adopted a Resolution on the Conflict in the Middle East,
"...based on our faith that 'Now in Christ Jesus, he has
broken down the dividing wall that is the hostility between
us.'" (Eph.2:14)
Reiterating support for a Palestinian State alongside the
State of Israel, and an open, shared Jerusalem, the General
Assembly calls for the tearing down of the Separation Wall.
The National Council of Churches' resolution, and all documents
mentioned, are posted on the Web
site of Churches for Middle East Peace.
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