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August 15, 2003/Av 17 5763, Vol. 55, No. 51
Calls unfounded to halt 'fence'HOWARD KOHRAt the same time that Israel announced the recent completion of the first stage of its new security fence, speculation surfaced that the United States may consider reducing from its loan guarantees to Israel the amount the Jewish state spends on construction of the obstacle.White House Spokesman Scott McClellan played down these reports, saying the United States would "continue to talk directly with the Israelis" about issues concerning the fence. Meanwhile, several members of Congress quickly spoke out against the idea that pressure could be put on Israel to halt construction of the fence. Israel's steps to protect its people from terror should be supported by the United States. Engaged in its own war on terror, Israel has been forced to construct this fence as an obstacle to the Palestinian suicide bombers who have entered Israel by the hundreds during the past three years to carry out their heinous attacks. While Israelis today are experiencing a decrease in attacks due to a cease-fire declared by the terrorist factions, backing for the construction of the security fence remains extremely high. Predictably, the Palestinians have begun protesting the security fence's construction, yet have been far more reticent to take action against the reason the fence is necessary in the first place - terrorism. Were the Palestinian Authority to shut down bomb factories and disarm and dismantle groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad, there would be far less pressure on the Israeli government by its citizens to rapidly advance construction of the fence. Instead, the Palestinians are using the security fence as the latest excuse not to live up to their commitments. For their part, the Palestinians should focus on what they have pledged to do - most recently repeated by Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas in Aqaba - renounce and fight. Howard Kohr is the executive director of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. |
