Jerusalem Wall threatens peace, say Palestinians
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has approved the final route of a barrier around Jerusalem that will include the largest Jewish settlement in the West Bank, officials said today.
Palestinian leaders immediately complained that Israel is endangering fledgling peace efforts.
The decision means the barrier will encompass lands claimed by the Palestinians for a future state, including traditionally Arab east Jerusalem, the intended Palestinian capital.
The barrier also will include a chunk of the Palestinian town of Bethlehem, south of Jerusalem, to encompass a Jewish shrine, officials said.
Israel began building a separation barrier in the West Bank two years ago, saying its aim was to keep out Palestinian attackers.
Palestinians say Israel could have built the barrier on its own territory if the only concern was security. They say the real intention was to grab West Bank land and draw a final border without waiting for a peace deal.
Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat warned that approval of the Jerusalem segment could destroy efforts to revive peace talks.
“This is a policy of dictation and not negotiation,” Erekat said. “This prejudges and prejudices the outcome of permanent status negotiations.”
The barrier – a complex of walls, fences, trenches, barbed wire and electronic devices – is expected to run about 425 miles. One-third of the barrier has been completed.
In the West Bank town of Ramallah, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said after a meeting with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas that the United Nations is establishing a register of damages to Palestinian property and claims against Israel resulting from the barrier construction.
“We are establishing that register to be able in time to help with those claims,” he said.
As Annan spoke, Palestinian policemen restrained hundreds of demonstrators at the main gate of the government compound.
The demonstrators carried signs reading, “Resist the wall until its collapse,” and “Bring down the wall,” and scuffled with policemen, throwing rocks at the main gate of the compound.
Annan said the UN position on the barrier is clear. The General Assembly has passed a resolution against the barrier, and the UN’s world court said in an advisory ruling last year it was illegal and must be torn down.
In Bethlehem, the barrier will cut off Rachel’s Tomb, a Jewish shrine, from the rest of the city.
The Israeli government official said the barrier largely follows Jerusalem’s municipal boundaries.
Israel drew those boundaries after capturing east Jerusalem from Jordan in the 1967 Mideast war.
