Sharon 'sees wall as Israel's new border'

[Violet_Crumble]

A senior ally of Ariel Sharon has given the most explicit indication yet that the Israeli Prime Minister envisages the 425-mile separation barrier as the border between Israel and a future Palestinian state.

Government spokesmen frequently claim that the barrier was built solely for security reasons and could be removed or rerouted.

But the Justice Minister, Tzipi Livni, who is helping prepare the programme of Mr Sharon's new Kadima party, told a legal conference in Caesarea: "One does not have to be a genius to see that the fence will have implications for the future border. This is not the reason it was built, but it could have political implications."

The Palestinian leadership said this was evidence that the barrier, which puts 8 per cent of the West Bank, including the major settlement blocs, on the Israeli side, was an effort to pre-empt free negotiations on any final peace deal.

Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, said: "This is a very dangerous development and undermines the chances of permanent status negotiations. This proves Israel wants to dictate and not negotiate."

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article330677.ece

[xchrom]

1. didn't see that coming

much.

if you're going to go to the trouble and expense to build a wall like that -- then you'd go to the trouble and expense to put it where you think it will stay.

[Wordie]

2. "This proves Israel wants to dictate and not negotiate." -Erekat

That just about says it all, doesn't it?

[manic expression]

3. Land theft, anyone? n/t