Do Good Fences Make Good Neighbors? |
Written by Victoria Radin |
“If good fences make good neighbors, then the world is experiencing an unprecedented outbreak of neighborliness.” ––Gwynne Dyer (www.gwynnedyer.net) While Israel is the only nation that has been ostracized for building a security fence (described as a wall by propagandists), fences and walls are going up around the world at a furious pace. Many countries have taken steps to alleviate ‘problems’ with neighboring countries by building border barriers or even building fences between warring neighborhoods within a single country. Most walls, fences, and barricades are being built to stop terrorist attacks or to stop illegal immigration and smuggling. These barriers also serve to define ethnic and culturally oriented communities.
Yet, not one of these fences has made international news, nor has there been an international outcry against the various barricades as there has been against Israel’s successful security fence. G-d has promised, though, that Israel will be redeemed with justice and righteousness (Isaiah 1:27) and that all nations will be judged by how they treat the nation of Israel (Joel 3:2). The fence that runs essentially along the 1967 border (except where large Israeli settlements would be isolated) was designed to keep the terrorists OUT of Israeli communities where they have blown up innocent civilians in coffee shops, in shopping markets, on public buses, and in hotel catering facilities in land areas recognized by the International Community as being legitimate Israeli territory. It would seem that Israel is the ONLY nation that is forbidden to protect its citizens from intruders by using a fence. The barrier has been highly effective in its purpose to keep terrorist infiltrators OUT, NOT to keep Palestinians IN. Palestinians are free to come and go except when coming INTO Israel where they are required to subject themselves to searches for bombs and weapons. The billions of dollars in aid being poured into the coffers of the Palestinian government from the International Community should be more than ample for them to have good housing, food, and transportation and especially to build an economy that is not dependent upon Israel. They are surrounded by “friendly” nations that should desire to see their lives improved under self-government. Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and other Muslim nations should make excellent ‘trading’ partners for them. Yet, their rulers keep them impoverished so that they will appear to be the victims of “Israeli occupation”. As in the case of Yassar Arafat, the funds that were channeled to the Palestinian Authority were, instead, used to purchase weapons, to enrich the autocratic rulers and to develop propaganda, chief of which is the propaganda about the supposed devastation imposed upon Palestinians by Israel’s security “wall”. The extreme opposition to Israel’s fence has to do, instead, with extreme opposition to G-d’s promise to that nation. “Do not fear, O My servant Jacob, says the L-RD, nor be dismayed, O Israel; for behold, I will save you from afar, and your seed from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return, have rest and be quiet, and no one shall make him afraid.” (Jeremiah 30:10) |