Separation

Israel is an apartheid country. No doubt about it.

I'm not exactly sure when work on the separation barrier began, but since 2006, the size of the Israel-West Bank Barrier (Also known as the "racial segregation barrier" in Arabic or the "Separation/anti-terrorist fence" in Hebrew) has grown exponentially. The idea behind the separation wall was to secure Israel from threats in the Palestinian territories. It seems however that the wall is now a political tool, which had begun to encroach on lands territorially within the Palestinian territories, thus constricting Palestine more and more, cutting off access to land and hampering Palestinian freedom of movement.

The barrier system is made up of concrete walls, barbed-wire, concertina wire (razor-wire), electric fences, guard and gun towers, road blocks and checkpoints. Areas within the occupied territories that are controlled by Israelis are blocked off to Palestinians and high-ways and roads that lead to settlements are barbed wired and blocked off from the surrounding lands. 


The situation in Gaza is similar. Although Israel evacuated it's settlements and "withdrew" it's military from the Gaza strip a few years ago, Gaza remains totally under siege. While Israel is attempting to stop weapons from entering the strip, the siege is total, food stuffs and common goods are restricted, and building supplies are prohibited from entering. Very few new houses, buildings and infrastructure can be built and buildings, and municipal works, mainly water treatment facilities (which are for some reason continually targeted by the IDF) cannot be repaired or maintained.

The situation is very dire. It just astounds me that the public outcry and international outcry isn't stronger, or more organized. 


But, it's good to be working and living around so many committed people. 


http://www.ochaopt.org/maps.aspx?id=106