Bethlehem to be encircled in steel

[Resistance]

(shortened the longer headline)

Happy Holidays everyone ...

Bethlehem to be encircled in steel as "security fence" snakes its way around holy city

By Justin Huggler in Bethlehem
20 December 2003

"We're not celebrating Christmas this year," says Yaqub Kasis, a member of Bethlehem's dwindling community of Palestinian Christians.

It should be a time of celebration for the city where Christ was born. Unlike last year, this Christmas there are no Israeli soldiers in Bethlehem's streets and the tanks have gone. "This Christmas is quieter than before," Mr Kasis says. "But it's worse. It's worse because of the wall."

Israel's "security fence" has arrived in Bethlehem. It snakes through the suburbs, close to the old stone houses. But the term "fence" is misleading. The section built in Bethlehem is made up of a triple layer concrete wall and two metal fences, one equipped with electronic sensors. The space between the two fences is patrolled by Israeli army jeeps. Israel is building hundreds of miles of fence across the West Bank. The pilgrims who travelto Bethlehem for Christmas this year will find that the city of Christ's birth is being walled off. Fears are growing that the city may soon be surrounded. The Israeli army says that the wall will not encircle the city - one quarter will remain open to the West Bank, it says.

[brainshrub]

1. It's not a "security fence"

it's a "peace fence." :silly:

[Resistance]

5. Peace in Bethlehem

brought to you by a massive Apartheid Wall :crazy:

[newyorican]

2. 1 picture = 1000 words

http://www.arij.org/paleye/Segregation-Wall/Section%207.7.pdf

On Edit: Is this democracy?

Around 15,000 Palestinians holders of Israeli IDs from Qalandia town, Qalandia
refugee camp and Kufur Aqeb will be enclosed between the new barrier and Jerusalem
municipality border. The residents will be paying the taxes as the other Israelis but will
not be receiving the same facilities and services as they will be staying in a special
security zone.

[newyorican]

3. Dec2003 Update on overall barrier

http://www.amin.org/eng/uncat/2003/dec/dec30.pdf

On Edit: I look at this map and see no possible 2-state solution.

[Resistance]

4. 2-state solution is dead

That's just the plain truth; the facts on the ground now bear this out.

Whether one is for or against a bi-national solution is merely a matter for ideologues and partisans to bicker over. The question (the reality) now is: What kind of bi-national solution will be imposed? One that at least shows a resemblance of democracy? Or an Apartheid solution where you've got a huge ghetto filled with impoverished Palestinians?

Making that choice seems obvious enough to me.

[Resistance]

6. Merry Christmas?