The Israeli Cabinet decided on Wednesday to build a series of fences deep in the heart of the West Bank as it forged ahead with a controversial separation barrier in the face of heavy international criticism.
The fences, in the form of horseshoes, will not be immediately connected to the main barrier, but senior officials made clear that is the ultimate intention.
One of the settlements that will be fenced off is the major community of Ariel, which hardline ministers in Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s government have been pressing to be included inside the main barrier.
The plans were immediately condemned by the Palestinians as further complicating peace efforts. The Israelis acknowledged that it would cause problems for the Palestinians but said there was ”no choice”.
The aim is ”to have as many Jews as possible inside the fence and as few as possible Arabs”, one government official told reporters at a briefing. ”This was one of the most important considerations in deciding the route of the fence.”
When pressed for details on the length of the new section and of its exact route, the official said he could provide them.
Under the new plan, the latest set of works will begin east of the Ariel and Kedumim settlements but there would be gaps around the settlements.
Sources said Sharon told the Cabinet a decision to include Ariel within the barrier should not be made at the moment because that would likely annoy the United States.
Although the decision was approved by a large majority, at least one minister was understood to have complained that the government was caving in to pressure from Washington.
An official close to Sharon said that ”security fences” to protect five settlements lying east of the main barrier, including Ariel, will now be built.
”The government has decided to build security fences to protect five settlement blocks including the town of Ariel,” said the official on condition of anonymity.
”The purpose of these fences will be to later link them to the security fence,” he added.
Other settlements to be fenced off include Qarnei Shomron and Kedumim, which also lie about 20km inside West Bank.
Palestinians have accused Israel of seeking to pre-empt the boundaries of any future two-state settlement to their bloody conflict with the barrier, which takes the form of both a fence and a concrete wall at times.
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat’s top adviser said the decision to approve the building of the next section is a ”real obstacle” to peace efforts.
The decision ”is a real obstacle to peace negotiations and will complicate efforts to put the peace process back on the rails,” Nabil Abu Rudeina said.
The mayor of Ariel, Ron Nachman, said he is pleased with the decision.
”I am happy about this decision, which gives the maximum security to the Israelis and causes the minimum of damage to the Palestinians,” he told Israeli radio. ”Everybody should be happy with it.”
Israel insists the barrier is merely intended to protect itself from Palestinian militant groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which have killed hundreds of its citizens in the current intifada, or uprising, against occupation.
An Islamic Jihad militant was among two Palestinians killed on Wednesday in an Israeli army raid on Tulkarem refugee camp, while the movement’s political leader in the West Bank was also arrested.
Bassam Saadi, was arrested early on Wednesday when Israeli soldiers supported by attack helicopters raided a refugee camp in the town of Jenin, said Palestinian sources.
The 42-year-old was picked up by Israeli soldiers travelling in about 20 jeeps and backed up by Apache helicopters. They opened fire as they entered the area and met no resistance.
Another 14 wanted Palestinians were arrested overnight in the West Bank, the source added.
Meanwhile, Palestinian prime minister-designate Ahmed Qorei said he would present his new Cabinet for parliamentary approval on Sunday or Monday.
”The Cabinet will be presented to Parliament on Sunday or Monday as well as its mandate for the coming period,” Qorei told reporters after meeting with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in his Ramallah headquarters.
He would not confirm the size of his Cabinet. Sources said on Tuesday he intended to appoint a 12-strong Cabinet rather than naming 24 members as he had previously intended.
Qorei said his government would embark on a programme of reforms and intended to ”achieve quiet” with Israel. — Sapa-AFP