'Enveloping Jerusalem'

[NewsGuy]

From Haaretz:

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon approved Tuesday plans for increasing security for Jerusalem and the "seam line" between Israel and the West Bank, presented to him by National Security Council Major General Uzi Dayan.

Sharon said he considered the plan, known as "enveloping Jerusalem," to be "an essential element in securing Jerusalem," and ordered the necessary changes to the plan be made and presented soon before the security cabinet for budget approval.

Sharon emphasized the city would be treated as a "single whole" that "includes Jewish and Arab neighborhoods as one."

During the meeting, it was stated that despite the fact that there is no intention of changing the legal status of some of the Arab neighborhoods situated in the Palestinian Authority's Area B, they should be included in the plan. Arab villages to be included are Abu-Dis, Anata, Hizma, and Beit Ichsa, Israel Radio reported.

The plan will also bring the settlements of Ma'aleh Adumim, Givat Ze'ev, and Har Gilo under the capital's jurisdiction.

[NewsGuy]

Another Article from Haaretz:

The most controversial element in the "Enveloping Jerusalem" plan formulated by National Security Council chairman, Major General Uzi Dayan, and Jerusalem Police Chief Mickey Levy, is not related to the route of the "Envelope" (the capital's municipal boundaries), but rather the line passing through the city - the "seam line" between the Jewish and Arab neighborhoods.

...

As the crow flies, the length of the seam-line in Jerusalem is about 10 kilometers, but on the ground it actually winds through some 47 kilometers. Initially, those formulating the "Enveloping Jerusalem" plan were asked to deploy fences, obstacles and barriers along 11 kilometers of the seam-line. It is doubtful, however, whether the political echelon will allow the plan's initiators to actually carry this out.

A fence may be built in places where it will not be highly visible - perhaps along Meridor street, opposite a small part of the Anata village within Jerusalem jurisdiction, and maybe also along the northern outskirts of the city. In any case, it will not be built along Road No. 1 which passes opposite the Old City walls, and it won't pass between the Jewish and Arab houses of the Musrara neighborhood, opposite Nablus Gate. These are too visible locations for erecting a fence.

Sharon, Olmert and Landau prefer that the weapons and suicide bombers be intercepted on the city's municipal border. Their stance is strengthened by the fact that the involvement of East Jerusalem residents in terror activity until now has been relatively low.

The Palestinians economic interests in the capital have also assisted: East Jerusalem residents are eligible for National Insurance benefits, unemployment benefits and health services, and enjoy comfortable and lucrative employment opportunities compared with those offered to West Bank Palestinians. Hence, the political echelon is not presently buying the security establishment's warnings that the Palestinian uprising could creep into East Jerusalem population.

For now, they give more weight to the building of a fence and its implications.

[Not Beilin]

Two main problems with this plan:

1. It gives the Arabs defacto ownership over part of Jerusalem which is the capital of the Jewish state.

2. There will be no security for Israel if the Arabs are included within the fence. They need to be thrown out and only then can a security fence be built that will bring some security. I don't see the point of including the terrorists inside the fence.

[NewsGuy]

Originally posted by Not Beilin
Two main problems with this plan:

1. It gives the Arabs defacto ownership over part of Jerusalem which is the capital of the Jewish state.

2. There will be no security for Israel if the Arabs are included within the fence. They need to be thrown out and only then can a security fence be built that will bring some security. I don't see the point of including the terrorists inside the fence.

1. Unfortunately, the very sad truth is that it looks like Israel will have to give away part of its birthright Jerusalem in any final settlement.

Maybe this way, if it is a unilateral separation then Israel can get a bigger part of Jerusalem. (I understand that parts of Area 'B' which are Palestinian-controlled, will be included now a part of Israel's Jerusalem.

2. Hopefully the Arabs that remain inside the security area will get the distinct hint that they are most unwanted there and will go voluntarily elsewhere. Maybe there is more than one way to skin the cat.

Also, as part of this plan, movement from Arab-occupied east Jerusalem into west Jerusalem will be restricted to a single checkpoint with heavy Israeli security to prevent Arab terrorist infiltration.