Brit Tzedek v'Shalom
Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace
Action Alert
Action Alert —Stop the Expansion of the Security Barrier Around Ariel
[POSTED: June 18, 2004]
Dear Members and Supporters,
We ask you to write to the President and Congress about troubling developments on the West Bank. The Israeli government has begun a new round of construction of the "security barrier" deep inside the West Bank around the settlement of Ariel, as well as several other settlements, including Immanuel and Kedumim, going against its assurances to the U.S. Administration that it would not take this step without prior American consultation.
By moving forward with this significant new step and shrugging off U.S. objections to the extension of the security barrier beyond what had been agreed upon, the Israeli government is creating more obstacles to a negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as well as undermining its relationship with the Bush administration.
With every additional kilometer that the barrier extends into the West Bank, creating a new de facto border for Israel, the prospects for a peaceful negotiated settlement recede further. The barrier is not a security barrier, but rather a political barrier to progress towards peace.
The planned expansion of West Bank settlements through the construction of new housing units reinforces this point. Such construction makes the creation of a viable Palestinian state seem ever-more remote. Israel will only be secured by removing the settlements. The expansion of the barrier around Ariel, Immanuel, and Kedumim will harm Israel's security still further.
Write to the President and Congress now, by clicking here, and tell them that every pressure must be brought to bear on the Israeli government for:
- an immediate halt to the construction of the barrier around Ariel;
- reversal of the land seizures around Immanuel and Kedumim;
- cancellation of plans to construct new West Bank housing units.
These positions should be coupled by a renewed and reinvigorated U.S. commitment to bring both sides to the table for negotiation toward a two-state solution.
We urge you to respond to this action alert and make your voice heard.
B'Shalom,
Steve Masters and Diane Balser
Chair and Co-Chair, Advocacy and Public Policy Committee
Brit Tzedek v'Shalom, the Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace
Take Action
Write to the President and Congress now:
The Israeli government has begun a new round of construction of the "security barrier" deep inside the West Bank around the settlement of Ariel, as well as several other settlements, including Immanuel and Kedumim, going against its assurances to the U.S. Administration that it would not take this step without prior American consultation.
By moving forward with this significant new step and shrugging off U.S. objections to the extension of the security barrier beyond what had been agreed upon, the Israeli government is creating more obstacles to a negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as well as undermining its relationship with the Bush administration.
Sample Letter to President Bush, your Senator, your Representative, and Secretary Powell:
Subject: Stop Expansion of the Security Barrier Around Ariel Dear President Bush, As an American Jew, I am distressed that the Israeli government has gone against its assurances to the U.S. government to the effect that it would not expand the construction of the "security barrier" to Ariel without prior U.S. consultation. The newly planned route of the barrier is not only around Ariel but also around several other settlements, including Immanuel and Kedumim. Reportedly construction of new West Bank housing units is also planned. Israel's going forward with this significant new step and its shrugging off of U.S. objections to the extension of the security barrier pose major, fresh obstacles to a peaceful, negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I call on you to speak out forcefully against this latest attempt to "create facts on the ground." I urge you to call for:
These positions should be coupled with a renewed and reinvigorated U.S. commitment to bring both sides to the table for negotiation toward a two-state solution. Thank you in advance for your efforts in the path of peace, which is in the best interests of not only Israelis and Palestinians, but also the United States and the rest of the world. Sincerely, |
Background Information
The Israeli government has begun a new round of construction of the "security barrier" deep inside the West Bank around the settlement of Ariel, as well as several other settlements, including Immanuel and Kedumim. When the project is fully completed and the various parts of the barrier are united, this will amount to the de facto annexation of some 150 square kilometers (about 58 square miles).This expansion of the barrier into the heart of the West Bank is a direct repudiation by the Israeli government of its assurances to the U.S. Administration that it would not take this step without prior American consultation:
Excerpted from: "Building work begins on controversial barrier around West Bank settlement," Agence France Presse, June 16, 2004 State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said US officials had most recently discussed the matter with Israeli counterparts after reports that preparatory work to bring Ariel into the barrier had begun Monday. "Our position has been clear: the fence is a problem," he told reporters. "It's a problem to the extent that it prejudges final borders, that it confiscates Palestinian property, or that it imposes further hardship on the Palestinian people." The United States has threatened to deduct from promised loan guarantees the amount of money Israel spends on the barrier in places where it juts into Palestinian territory. The decision to build around Ariel is particularly contentious as it is situated so far within the West Bank. Some 16,000 people live in Ariel, one of the largest
of Jewish settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. |
Excerpted
from: "Analysis / Costly words," A previous statement of Sharon's, his promise to Netanyahu to fence settlement blocs, also indicates a violation of understandings with the Americans. The finance minister explained that he supports the disengagement plan because Sharon promised him to include settlement blocs inside the separation fence surrounding Israel and part of the territories. According to the understandings with the Americans, however, Israel would continue building the separation barrier only in sections agreed on with the U.S. When Israel wants to build the barrier in controversial sections, it must first coordinate with the Americans. At the end of the meeting in Washington it was clear that at present the fence construction around the settlement blocs will be delayed. Clearly, the most controversial sections are those around settlement blocs east of the Green Line. When Washington asks Israel to "coordinate" in advance,
it is clear to both sides that this means an American agreement or
understanding. Hence, if Israel starts extending the route of the
main separation fence around the town Ariel, this would be a violation
of the understandings with Washington and President Bush. |
Israel's going forward with this significant new step and its shrugging off U.S. objections to the extension of the security barrier pose major, fresh obstacles to peaceful negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
With every additional kilometer that the barrier extends into the West Bank, creating a new de facto border for Israel, the prospects for a peaceful negotiated settlement recede further. This barrier is not a "security barrier," but rather a political barrier to the progress towards peace.
The planned expansion of West Bank settlements through the construction of new housing units reinforces this point. Such construction makes the creation of a viable Palestinian state seem ever-more remote. Israel will only be secured by removing the settlements. The expansion of the barrier around Ariel, Immanuel, and Kedumim will harm Israel's security still further.
Write to the President and Congress now, and tell them that every pressure must be brought to bear on the Israeli government for:
- an immediate halt to the construction of the barrier around Ariel;
- reversal of the land seizures around Immanuel and Kedumim;
- cancellation of all plans to construct new housing units in the West Bank.
These positions should be coupled by a renewed and reinvigorated U.S. commitment to bring both sides to the table for negotiation toward a two-state solution.
Additional Links:
US criticizes Security Fence around Ariel
Plan to build West Bank fence near Ariel stirs U.S. anger
Building work begins on controversial barrier around West Bank settlement
Protests interrupt fence construction in Ariel
More clashes over Ariel fence
Analysis / Costly words
Bulldozers begin Ariel barrier
Israel Weighs Major W. Bank Construction