Palestinians and the international community are still disputing the construction of the illegal wall at various fronts. The most recent is at the International Court of Justice, where the hearings were concluded on February 25, 2004. The court now will start its deliberation and render its advisory opinion in the upcoming weeks.
The wall built into the West Bank is turning Palestinian localities into ghettos, not only depriving people from freedom of movement within their land, but also strangling the economy:
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confiscation of thousands of acres: a map of the wall is shown here. Israel will retain control of territories surrounding illegal Jewish settlements within the West Bank.
- water: conveniently, most natural water resources in the West Bank are located at or near Jewish settlements.
- separation within localities : hundreds of families lost part or all of their properties with the wall cutting straight through heavily populated Palestinian areas. Merchants have to change their routes, children have to pick another school after their schools were walled-out, and stores are closed down due to banned access to those areas.
- the economy: Goods and merchandise in and out of the walled-in area will be completely controlled (and taxed) by Israeli authorities.
- borders: Israeli forces will continue to have control over all entry points to the walled-in Palestinian areas.
- diminishing tourism: Tourists visiting Holy shrines, especially Bethlehem, will not be allowed to stay in the town, but only visit and return to Israeli areas in the same day. This policy will not help the economy of the town at all..
(read more on this topic : The Wall: A very informative article by Carol Sansour telling how the wall is affecting many of the residents in Bethlehem)
The area besieged by the wall would be the only area where Palestinians will be allowed to have their own "state". The wall will cause all the harm to Palestinians, and no good at all to the Israelis. The wall is only choking the nation and feeding their anger towards Israel.
Since the beginning of its construction, the wall has forced thousands of Palestinians to either relocate, or emigrate out of Palestine in search for a better life.
What you can do to help :
The wall in the Westbank and Palestine. Bethlehem Association
* Sign a petition online : http://www.thewallpetition.com/
(RE: The National Initiative to Resist the Wall)
* Visit www.stopthewall.com to learn of the latest developments and
ways to help stop the wall.
* Support : send relief/aid to Bethlehem, to help needy families survive
the economical hardship imposed by Israel and its wall.
You may send donations directly to Charities (listed in our
Charitable Work page) or through us.
Joseph Hazboun
The Bethlehem Association
