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In June 2002, Israel began implementing the next stage of its expansionist and repressive program by building
a Wall inside the West Bank that would run at least the West Bank’s entire length. Not surprisingly, the path of the
ever-winding Wall would follow, consistently, the logic of land confiscation and control, including the annexation
of settlements and the caging off of built-up, Palestinian areas. Contrary to worldwide news reports, the Wall (also
referred to as the “fence”, “separation barrier”, and particularly deceptively the “security fence”) will not mark the
1967 border, also known as the Green Line. The Wall is in fact a major land grab and a sealing of the fate of the
Occupied Territories and of Palestine.
Currently, signs of the Wall—and its impact—can be seen in its “first phase” taking place in the Qalqiliya, Tulkarm,
and Jenin districts, along with current construction and destruction for the Wall that is taking place in Jerusalem
and Bethlehem. In all of these areas, the Wall is nearing completion; Israel announced the completion of 27
kilometers of the Wall in April 2003. In the first phase areas alone, which represent only 1/3 of the Wall (in its
shortest form), 65 communities will be affected, including over 200,000 people. So far, massive destruction has
been felt by communities including the razing of agricultural land, damage to irrigation networks, isolation of
water resources, and the demolition of homes and community infrastructure; all of this atop of the prevention
of accessing their land, markets, and traveling for employment and to visit family. The Wall’s first phase draws
attention to the affects of the Wall and the expected impacts of its existence and continuation.
The Wall in its current mapping snakes its way inside the West Bank at points up to 6 kilometers, such as by
Jayyus and ‘Isla in Qalqiliya district, effectively confiscating substantial amounts of Palestinian land. Amidst these
devastating prospects and “developments,” Israel is nearing the final approval of an expanded Wall plan which
will move the Wall even further east, up to 16 km inside the West Bank in order to annex settlements such as Ariel,
Immanuel, and Kedumim. At the same time, the Israeli proposal for a second Wall along the Jordan Valley and
running somewhat parallel to the first Wall, which was publicly introduced in March 2003, is soon to begin. With
the construction of the expanded and second Wall, Israel will isolate—amidst plans of direct control—some 1/2 of
the West Bank, as the Wall will run the length of over 650 kilometers!