Extreme measures

Tonight I have no words, I just ask you to watch. Each film is around 9 minutes long. If you do not have time for both, watch a few minutes of each one (it is important to see the end of the second film to understand the message).

18 days to go...

The thin green line

My blog on route 443 received a number of comments that raise important issues and questions. I would like to keep the discussion alive.

I agree that without a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the question of borders and territory are not clear, and highly contested on both sides. I also agree that this makes practical issues, like roads, tunnels and bridges, extremely difficult to undertake.

But, there is a distinction between Israel and the Palestinian territories: it is currently defined by the green line. In 1967, during the six day war, Israel crossed the green line and occupied Palestinian territories.

Neither party accepts the green line as the final border. And today it is even impossible to make it out on the ground. But it is currently accepted by Israelis, Palestinians and the international community, as the line that distinguishes Israel from the Palestinian territories. It is also the basis of negotiations for a two-state solution. See a discussion here by Israelis and Palestinians on the issue.

I do not think the green line will be the final borders for the two states. But, until there are clearly defined borders, this is the reference point, and each side must respect the rights of the people on the other side.

So what does this mean in practice?

For Palestinians, this means not using violence and terror against Israeli civilians. It means not taking Israeli soldiers hostage, and refusing them all contact with family members and visits from the Red Cross.

For Israeli authorities, this means not violating the rights of Palestinians living in the occupied territories, and protecting the civilian population. Taking a section of road in the occupied territories and prohibiting Palestinians from using that road undermines movement in their own territory. Building a separation barrier inside the West Bank which cuts Palestinians from their olive groves or isolates villages from main cities, undermines livelihoods. Demolishing the home of an entire family because one family member committed a terrorist act, is a form of collective punishment.

If Israelis want Palestinians to eventually have their own independent state, is it not important to accept the green line for now? And if they do not want Palestinians to have their own independent state, then what is the long-term plan?

45 days to go...

Route 443

Andres came to visit for the weekend. I took him to the airport early this morning from Tel Aviv and then took a sherut to Jerusalem. I left Ben Gurion airport at 5.30am. The driver took us on a road I had travelled on before: route 443. At that time, I sensed that something was up, but it had slipped out of my mind. At around 6am, we arrived at a checkpoint, and I saw dozens of Palestinians waiting on either side of the road. I also saw a smaller road, which had been cut off by route 443 and blocked. This time there was no denying that something was up. It was time to do some digging. I got back to Jerusalem and started asking questions. Here is what I found out.

Route 443 currently links Jerusalem and the Tel Aviv area (Modiin and the airport, for example). 40, 000 Israelis (and tourists on their way to the airport) use it daily as an alternative to the main road linking Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Fifteen kilometres of route 443 is built inside the West Bank, including on private Palestinian land.

The problem: Palestinians are not allowed to use the road.

The road used to be a major traffic artery to Ramallah for Palestinians living southwest of the city. The High Court only allowed the Israeli authorities to build the new road if it served the local population. Now however, the local population, some 35, 000 people, are forced to travel on a different route, one that is much longer, windy and in disrepair.

For a while Palestinians and Israelis shared the road. But in the wake of the second intifada in 2000, and following several attacks on Israeli vehicles where people were killed, Palestinians were increasingly prohibited from using route 443. By 2002, a full prohibition was in force. Of course, those who committed the crimes should be punished, but is it fair to punish all the people living in the area?

An Israeli NGO, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, petitioned the High Court on behalf of the six villages affected by the prohibition. To date, their efforts have been unsuccessful.

This is not the only case where a road is built in the West Bank by the Israeli authorities, which Palestinians are prohibited from using. Palestinians are forbidden to use, or are restricted in their use of more than 300 kilometres of roads in the West Bank; Israelis on the other hand, are free to use these same roads without restrictions. See the map here.

I support Israel punishing acts of violence and terror. I am okay with Israel imposing robust security measures to protect people's lives. But within reason. Israel has the duty to protect the lives of everyone living on its territory, including people living on territory it occupies. If the lives of Israelis is in danger by using this road, the Israeli authorities could have easily found an alternative route, within Israel's own territory, to provide safe passage. Instead, the Israeli authorities chose to disrupt the lives of Palestinians living near the road, restrict their movement and cut them off from important economic, social and cultural ties. It makes me furious.

How is it ok to punish entire villages for the acts of a few? And should the convenience of this road to Israelis really outweigh the basic needs of the local population to a decent livelihood?

46 days to go...