Posted on: Wednesday, August 6, 2003

Not all fences make for good neighbors

Some call it a "fence." Others, a "wall." But however you want to label the barrier being erected to separate the West Bank from Israel, it's undermining any road map to peace.

As Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas points out, the security fence is stopping Palestinians from moving freely between their homes, schools and jobs.

The barrier, a 370-mile series of electric fences, trenches, concrete and coils of razor wire, is intended to stop Palestinian suicide bombers and gunmen from entering Israel. In several areas, it cuts into Palestinian territory and isolates towns and villages, and separates farmers from their land.

The security concerns are obvious. But it's little wonder that many Palestinians regard the project as a covert land grab.

The Bush administration has expressed concerns about the impact on Palestinians, but also sympathizes with Israel's security claims.

The timing couldn't be worse. You don't cordon off a people and then expect them to negotiate in good faith.

By most accounts, the Bush administration appears to understand that and may even cut aid to Israel to halt construction of the fence.

After all the bloodshed, we understand how the barrier might give Israelis a greater sense of security. But it's a short-term solution. As far as the big picture goes — and that's what we're concerned with — major concessions must be made to bring lasting peace. Halting construction of the security fence would be a big step in the right direction.