The Segregation Wall

Introduction

The idea of segregation on the Israeli side has been put forward several times in the past, the first of which was discussed by "Benhas Spear" upon the 1967 war. Back then, he suggested "security" borders from one side, while withdrawing from all other areas.

Meanwhile, Ben Gurion, who was a retired leader at that time, suggested returning all Palestinian territory, except Jerusalem. He was succeeded by Moshe Sha'hel, who devised a plan for the wall while holding the position of Minister of Police at the beginning of 1994.

The supporters of the unilateral "segregation plan" are divided into two parties: those who envisage that such a plan would bring about a final political solution until Israel determines, from its side, permanent borders on which it can position its troops; whereas the other party views the plan as a means for a new military deployment to resolve the military crisis with the Palestinian People.

The Factional View of the Segregation Wall

The segregation plan appeal to a number of supporters from the different Israeli parties, beginning with "Haim Ramon", who has been promoting the plan for years, as well as Dan Maridor, the head of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Security Committee. Thereafter, Michael Eitan put forward the plan amongst the Likud Party, to clarify its features. Despite the fact that the proposed idea between the Left and the Right is different, there are no substantial differences between Meridor and Ramon. However, from the beginning, there was a debate between Eitan and Ramon on evacuating parts of the illegal settlements and gathering them in blocks, dividing the new borders between settlements and the Palestinian-controlled Territory. They see this plan as an inevitable phase en route to political negotiations with the Palestinians over permanent borders.

Michael Eitan's Plan

The basic idea behind Eitan's plan is to set up a double-layered wall:
a) A "security" wall, which includes all Palestinian-controlled Territory- Area (A).
b) A second wall close to the "Green line", established as a temporary wall.

As for the permanent borders, they will be established, according to his view, between the 1967 border line and the "security" line surrounding Area (A).

Dan Meridor's Plan

Based on the 'Camp David' negotiations, Meridor proposed his idea at the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Security Committee, where he spoke of retreating to settlement blocks. Furthermore, he regarded the segregation plan as too complicated and would provoke too many questions concerning the borders with Jordan and whether Israel would expropriate the land that lies within the plan's framework.

Haim Ramon

Haim Ramon's plan proposes withdrawal from the West Bank, with the exception of the illegal settlement blocks, as well as establishing a wall between the Palestinian-controlled land and the settlement blocks.

Sharon's Project

From the security, ideological, and political aspects, the current Israeli Prime Minister is considered one of the most extremist Rightwing Israeli leaders. Ariel Sharon, who came into power with a military background, is considered one of three figures that supposedly hold a vision for a solution to the region. Furthermore, he is the sole person to hold the final status solution map with the Palestinians. Sharon's plan entails:

1) Establishing two long security strips, wherein the western security strip along the "Green Line" would be 5-10 Km deep. The implementation of this phase of the plan commenced when the northern and western parts of Jenin were declared closed military zones by the military order no. 10/10/S.
2) Establishing 5 security strips between the two long security strips:
a- A corridor between south Tulkarem and the Nablus-Za'tara-Jordan Valley area.
b- "Trans-Samaria" Street (no.5), connecting Ra's Al-'Ein and the Jordan Valley.
c- Al-lid- Al-Latron Street (no. 45), connecting north Jerusalem and the Jordan Valley.
d- Gosh Atsion-Jordan Valley Street.
e- Street (no.35), connecting north Hebron and the Jordan Valley.

As a result, the consequences are as follows:

Four Palestinian cantons are created on which a Palestinian state can be established:
a) Jenin/Nablus canton
b) Ramallah canton
c) Bethlehem canton
d) Hebron canton

These cantons will be linked by dual streets, divided in such a way that one would be used by Palestinians, and the other by Israelis. Palestinians will get 'safe' passages in the northern and southern parts of the West Bank, and between the West bank and the Strip Gaza on the other. The passages will take the form of diversions from the existing roads or tunnels under the strategic roads.

The Segregation Plan Map

In 1994, Israeli Prime Minister Is'hak Rabin decided, after being subjected to pressure from the regional councils' leaders of "Wadi Al-Hawareth" area (Amik Heifar), south of the "Sharon" area, to establish a cement wall along the "Green Line". As a result, the walls, which were 2.5 meters high and 1800 meters long, were established, dividing the illegal settlement of "Bat Haifar" and Shweikeh Village, north of Tulkarem, and several kilometers south of "Itan" settlement and Hableh Village, south of Qalqilia.

Furthermore, in October 2000, the wall was extended to exceed Shweikeh north of "Yatma" and "Ibthan", (Zeimer Regional Council), while its height was increased to 4 meters. Another 2.5 km long wall was erected, separating Shweikeh and Tulkarem, and between the illegal settlements of "Bat Heifar", "Yadhana", and "Han". In addition, surveillance cameras will be fitted on this wall, and a trench (1.5 m deep, 25 km long) will be created around the village of Jilaboun area until the Majido-Biesan junction, such that it divides the area and Jenin city).

Moreover, the Israeli occupation army will establish roadblocks along the "Green Line", comprising of electronic walls, which extend hundreds of meters along both sides of the roadblock. Those aim to diminish the areas in question, thus undermining the free passage from Palestinian-controlled areas.

All these segregation methods are set up according to the "security needs" and they will be used even beyond the "Green line" areas. This line will be 350 km long, and the implementation of the preliminary phase, wherein 70-80 km of the wall will be erected, (including 11 km already erected around Occupied East Jerusalem) will cost 50 million US Dollars (219 NIS).