I read in the Express that Israel was planning to build a ‘west wall’ around the West bank in a last ditch attempt to curb Palestininan aggression with jewish settlements there being heavily defended and classed as ‘Venture territories’ Would the wall be a good idea? And if you think it’s bad could you give me some reasons please?
When dealing with a complicated historical issue like this, it’s best to avoid phrases like ‘Palestinian aggression’ which suggests the violence is one-sided.
The same sort of thing applies to the use of ‘Jewish settlements’, which sounds respectable and peaceful. No doubt Palestinians would use the phrase ‘Israeli land-grab’ for some of the building work.
I am surprised that anyone (including yourself?) thinks that building a wall to keep a population out (or alternatively your own citizens in) is a good idea. If you treat a population like caged animals, they tend to resent it bitterly. This breeds civliian popular support for a violent reaction. Thus the cycle of terrorism continues.
You may recall the Berlin Wall in Germany. There was not such hatred and distrust on either side of that as there is in Palestine. Also it was heavily financed and guarded by troops, mines etc.
Nevertheless it was hated and served to perpetuate the differences (in this case between the political and economic systems) on either side of itself.
To solve a problem like Palestine, you need dialogue, respect for the other side’s position, time and statesmen.
Alas all of these are in short supply at present.
Could the Israeli economy survive without Palestinian labour? I’ve heard that it couldn’t, though I have no cites.
I am frankly skeptical of the efficacy of such a wall. You can get over or through a wall with ease, if you’re determined to do so. Heck, on “Junkyard Wars” they burrowed through concrete walls with, well, junk.
Of course, the wall would be patrolled. But there aren’t THAT many soldiers in the IDF that you could patrol it perfectly. And terrorists could always attack other targets; they’d just murder Jews overseas. I doubt a wall would prevent violence at all, really.
Walls are always a good idea!
Let’s see…
The Chinese Wall - Kept the Mongols pretty safe from the rampant idiocy of Chin emperors and you can see it from space.
The Hadrian Wall - Thanks to which the Scots are Scots and not Etruscan.
The Berlin Wall - Without which the cold war would have had less graffiti.
Hell yeah they should have a wall right in Jerusalem, that way we can call it the Twin Wall City and tour organizers can have: “Day 4: Bus leaves hotel at 8 AM sharp and we go wail at one wall and lament at the other.”
Great idea :rolleyes:
Sparc
Just in case you are interested, a discussion on this has been in progress: URL=http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=118947]The Big Fence
Let’s try that again.