Our guide and lecturer about the separation wall is an Israeli attorney who has become involved more in politics than law. He consults with the US government and the Israeli government. He is an Israeli patriot, but he is critical of the Israeli policies toward the Palestinians. He said Israel wants to build E1 so it would cut Palestine in half and destroy the 2 state solution. He is critical of the separation wall because it cuts through Palestinian communities, but he is supportive because it stopped terror attacks from the West Bank.
The population of Jerusalem is 500,000 Israelis and 297,000 Palestinians. In the last election, 157,000 Palestinians could vote, but only 517 voted. They don't vote because they believe voting would legitimize what Israel has done to them. They would be a powerful minority if they voted, especially as a block.
There are many slogans written on the separation wall.
Separation wall on the road to Jericho in East Jerusalem. The wall blocked the road, so now it requires a detour of several miles though a checkpoint.
Blaine and Linda at the separation wall.
Linda with Erin, Whitney, and our Israeli lecturer, near the Jerusalem Center, looking east into the West Bank. The Dead Sea would have been visible on a clear day.
The near city is Palestinian. The far city is Ma'ale Adumin, a large Israeli settlement in the West Bank. E1 is to the left, outside this picture. Israel wants to build a huge community in E1 that would cut Palestinian land in half. Linda asked how Israelis justify confiscating land from the Palestinians He said many Israelis believe it is their land because God gave it to them 3000 years ago. He was critical of the education provided by Israel to Palestinians living in Israel. Palestinians make up 37% of the population, but receive only 12% of the education budget. He believes an uneducated Palestinian population is worse for Israelis.
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