''Cutting the umbilical cord between Bethlehem and Jerusalem''
On the 2nd of March 2004, (since 3 days) the Israeli authorities started to install eight meters high concrete partitions resuming their work in the Segregation Wall project, the Israeli project which will totally strangulate Bethlehem district and cuts the umbilical cord between the two holy cities, Bethlehem and Jerusalem. See Photo 1 & Photo 2
The main entrance of Bethlehem city will be a second 'Erez' border passage; the Israeli Ministry of internal security ordered the work at an area of 28 Dunums located near the existing main checkpoint at Bethlehem city northern entrance. This border point is expected to function as a citizens passage in addition to a commercial 'back to back' zone. See photo 3 & Photo 4
The wall blocks are part of the plan to close-off totally the city of Bethlehem and to annex Rachel's Tomb area. The Israeli plan is considered a De Facto policy that aims to cut-off and separates the Palestinian East Jerusalem totally from the other Palestinian cities and villages by the segregation Wall. The segment of the wall the so – called 'Jerusalem Envelope'' by the Israelis is surrounding the whole East Jerusalem including the old city of Jerusalem from all sides and annexes more lands from other West Bank cities and villages such as Ramallah (North), Abu Dis (East) and Bethlehem (South). See map of Jerusalem '' by the Israelis is surrounding the whole East Jerusalem including the old city of Jerusalem from all sides and annexes more lands from other West Bank cities and villages such as Ramallah (North), Abu Dis (East) and Bethlehem (South).
Envelope and Bethlehem 3-D Map
The actual Israeli violation represented by the erection of the Segregation Wall that is totally deviated from the 1949 Armistice line – Green line- is an unaccepted unilateral act by the International community. We urge the international community and all peace lovers all over the World to force stop its action and remove this Apartheid Wall. If Israel wants to build this Wall, it shall build on its land behind the green line and not inside the Palestinian Territory. It should be noted that Peace is the only way and peace can only prevail if the rights are given back to the Palestinian people through putting an end to the occupation of the west Bank and Gaza Strip that started in the year 1967. Under such a peaceful solution will it be a real necessity to install such a system?
See more pictures of the works at Bethlehem northern entrance
Related articles
- Israeli's new border plan north of Bethlehem.
- Undermining Peace … Israel's Unilateral Segregation Plans in the Palestinian Territories
Prepared by:
The Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem
