(Foreign Affairs) David Makovsky - A properly constructed fence could achieve multiple objectives: reduce violence by limiting the infiltration of suicide bombers into Israel, short-circuit the deadlock on achieving a two-state solution, advance the debate in Israel about the future of most settlements, and perhaps even provide an incentive for Palestinians to return to the negotiating table. Even without negotiation, the fence would function as a provisional border and could be modified in the future if Palestinians make real progress in halting terrorism against Israel and agree to restart talks. The writer is director of the Project on the Middle East Peace Process at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
2004-02-11 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive