Israel argues this is not a "wall" but rather a "fence"

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, July 26 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – In clear and immediate defiance of U.S. President George Bush’s criticism of the controversial Israeli separation wall now under construction in the West Bank, an Israeli official claimed Saturday, July 26, it was a "necessity."

"The building of this security fence has no political connotations. It's a necessity dictated by the security imperative of preventing Palestinian suicide bombings against Israel," the official, who asked not to be named, told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

In landmark talks with Palestinian Premier Mahmoud Abbas at the White House Friday, July 25, Bush dismissed as a "problem" the wall which Israel started building in June last year.

"I think the wall is a problem, and I have discussed this with (Israeli Prime Minister) Ariel Sharon," Bush said, adding it was very difficult to "develop confidence between the Palestinians and the Israelis ... with a wall snaking through the West Bank."

'Not A Wall'

The Israeli official took issue with Bush's use of the word "wall" even though the barrier does take that form for part of its length.

"It is a shame that President Bush did not use the correct term security fence," argued the Israeli official.

"Israel is not constructing a wall -- it's the Palestinians who use that term in a bid to persuade the world it's some sort of Berlin Wall.

"This fence is a necessity and not a choice. Sharon will explain that to President Bush when he meets him" in Washington Tuesday, July 29, the official alleged.

He recalled that in the past the U.S. leader had "always championed Israel's right to defend itself." 

The separation wall, which incorporates a network of earthworks, trenches and patrol roads, also cuts a whole string of Palestinian communities in two.

Planned to snake some 900 kilometers (550 miles) along the West Bank, the wall has infuriated Palestinians as it leaves large swathes of the occupied territory on the Israeli side and is seen as a bid to preempt negotiations on the final borders of the Palestinian state promised by 2005 under a U.S.-backed peace roadmap.

Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom admitted after his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell Thursday, July 24, that a "misunderstanding" is developing between the U.S. administration and Israel over the construction of the wall.

Deeds

Palestinians seek "implementation of the roadmap and that (Bush's) words be translated into deeds," Abu Rudeina said

In a related development, a top aide to Palestinian President Yasser Arafat stressed that Israel was "isolating itself from the international community by continuing (to build) the separation wall."

Nabil Abu Rudeina also accused Israel of "not implementing the roadmap, not proceeding to withdrawals and not releasing prisoners," as well as failing to lift the blockade of Arafat in his West Bank headquarters.

Commenting on Bush-Abbas meeting, he said Palestinians wanted to see words transformed into deeds.

"What we undoubtedly ask is the implementation of the roadmap and that (Bush's) words be translated into deeds," Nabil Abu Rudeina told AFP.