By now you must have seen the size of this gader hafradeh ("separation fence").
According to Nigel Parry on The Electronic Intifada: "Israel's Separation Barrier, dubbed the "Apartheid Wall" or "Berlin Wall" by Palestinians, has increasingly attracted international
media attention, largely due to the hard-to-ignore scale of the project. The most obvious historical parallel to the barrier
is the Berlin Wall, which was 96 miles long (155 kilometers). Israel's barrier, still under construction, is expected to reach
at least 403 miles in length (650 kilometers). The average height of the Berlin Wall was 11.8 feet (3.6 metres), compared
with the maximum* current height of Israel's Wall -- 25 feet (8 metres)."
As most sane people already know - fences make good neighbors. If you wonder
if this parameter applies to the West Bank, think again. Since the objective has never been to co-exist in peace and friendship,
both the Israelis and the Palestine’s have established an eternal battle zone that fosters continuous combative contact.
So the apparent offensive Sharon policy to outdo the Stasi East German secret police, might just jump the gun. Who can deny
that communities have a right to disengage themselves from elements that seek them harm? As a principle a fence makes a sound
statement, while providing a logical function - SEPARATION.
However; when you examine the geographic locations and the magnitude
of the project, the inevitable conclusion drawn, beholds a very ominous undertone. When Ran HaCohen offers his assessment, we should take heed from this regionally educated inhabitant who teaches at
Tel-Aviv University: "Leaving the lion's share of the West Bank outside the Wall in Israeli hands, even what looks like two
contiguous Bantustans are in fact crisscrossed by chains of Israeli settlements and roads-for-Jews-only."
Hey, why not admit the obvious? Apartheid is the official policy of the Zionist
State!
Just because the borders for the West Bank move inexorably East - let nothing
stop the exodus . . . The pretense of a democratic society is removed with the erection of virile security. Admitting that
assimilation is a virus - heals the persistent purist. What is orthodox for one cousin is heresy for the other. At last the
notion of a "Road Map to Peace" can be transformed into an annexation of the region. Finally, the rhetoric can be translated
into a chart that shows the plan.
Well, you might be surprised that the criticism is reserved only for territory
expansion. The idea of a separate society is entirely valid. Israelis living in one place that they call their own is preferable
to many of their tribe. The ghetto of the past no longer is a prospect to fear. Prosperity is evident so encircling the chosen
land from hostile intruders protects the communal kibbutz. Reducing the kibitz from the Palestine’s, would be enhanced
from the other side of the wall . . .
So what’s the problem. The fight over who stole the land from whom will
never be settled. Possession is ninety percent of the law, and we all know that the rule of land is supreme! If others live
in a gulag, such camps must be their fault.
No matter what side you favor, if you are neutral or simply don’t care;
erecting a fence can do more than increase the difficulty in the task of terrorist. Security for individuals is always a cogent
concern. When governments equate national interest with the defense of the State, usually they mean special protections for
selected officials, under the guise of safekeeping institutions. Despite, this reservation, any country has a rightful duty
to take preventive precautions to guard citizens against threats to their consensual accepted society.
So if it is good enough for the Israelis, why not construct our own fence
along our own borders? If the danger from hated foes and homicide bombers can be reduced by a wall of exclusion, why can’t
we have one for America? The Berlin Wall was built to keep people in, while an Apartheid Wall wants to keep people out. Don’t
you want to prevent the hooligans from entering our communities? Well, such measures may seem far too harsh for the Egalitarians;
however, we are told we are at war with terrorists. At least the Zionist State doesn’t suffer from a self identity delusion
of equality. They openly avow separate is best. Too bad they still practice segregation as a means to their final solution.
Total separation is the ultimate answer.
Such common ground need not accept anothers’ self induced assertions
of superiority. But we should emulate the wisdom of detachment in order to preserve the security of distinctiveness. America
is not meant to be a refugee for all of humanity. The test of applying is the infinite discernment in the principles of individual
Liberty, which is not understood by most of mankind. Those who grasp the uniqueness of the American political vision are welcome
to pass through the gate of selection. Any who reject or refuse to digest the established traditional standards should be
expelled before entering the door.
Speaking Yiddish is helpful to live in Israel. A commitment to fluency and
use of English is essential for understanding the culture of the Founding Fathers, let alone accepting and adapting to the
heritage and values that created and sustains our land.
Walls are only an instrument that allows the playing of the music entitled
harmony. Once the chords are learned, the melody can be heard, as the lyrics are written. Intentions are usually the determining
factor. If people are honest they will respect the songs that others wish to sing. When the tunes are heard as repulsive noise,
it’s better to attend different concerts. The rap with mixers is that often the party is crashed by outsiders. Hope
you will learn this lesson, before you become permanently tone deaf.
SARTRE - August 6, 2003
