After the most recent toll in human life inflicted on Jerusalem's civilian population, Israel's Cabinet took
the only option possible and gave the go ahead to erect a physical security fence. It ordered the
construction of a 2l7 mile long 'smart' electronic security fence which will separate Israel from the West
Bank. It will include all of the gadgetry and expertise, accumulated, over decades of exporting security
and intrusion prevention systems.
The security fence will have to be up very quickly, as it can and will, provide protection from homicidal
human bombers that are sent into Israel proper, by those are intent on committing indiscriminate,
wholesale murder.
The fence would achieve more than any international conference could by establishing interim borders
between Israel and a future state of Palestine. Israeli settlers in due course would move or be moved to
the Israeli side of the fence.
The Palestinians would get the relinquished West Bank as their own. A clear gain for them without need to
resort to violence or protracted negotiations.
The Great Wall of China is more than 2,000 years old and stretches 4,500 miles, from the mountains of
Korea to the Gobi Desert. It was first built to protect an ancient Chinese empire from marauding tribes from
the north. But it evolved into something far greater - a boon to trade and prosperity and ultimately a
symbol of Chinese ingenuity and will.
The Israeli security Fence intended to protect the nation's people, may someday become a GOOD FENCE
and it may yet prove the New Testament adage that GOOD FENCES MAKES GOOD NEIGHBORS.
Some of us can recall Cole Porter's song Don't Fence Me In. It was sung by Bing Crosby, the most popular
singer of his time, and recorded without his having seen nor heard the song, It sold more than a million
copies. Alas, it was a prize winning song... all in a different time and place.
The initial idea of a "separation fence", a Fence for Peace, was to be a U.S./UN peacekeeping force which
was to serve as a "human fence". It didn't happen because no one believed that it would achieve its aim
without heavy casualties. It was also questioned whether it would serve as an obstacle to infiltration.