Safety Requires More Than A Security Fence

I understand how frustrating border patrol in Israel sounds, and I understand there will be cases of harassment. However, the whole point of the security fence is to secure the borders. The security fence is there to protect all the people. Unfortunately, these checkpoints have become a necessity.

There are other security fences throughout the world. We, in the United States, have a security fence between our southern states and Mexico. Security fences have been built in Northern Ireland and in Spain. There is one between Botswana and Zimbabwe, North and South Korea, and India and Bangladesh. Why is there nothing contrary written about these fences?

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has plans to dismantle the settlements. This cannot happen overnight, and Israel is working towards a two-state solution.

Yes, some Palestinians defend themselves with stones, but many use armed weapons. They throw Molotov cocktails at anything and anyone. They blow themselves up in public areas.

This, however, is not the issue. What happens in the Middle East is unfortunate. People are being killed, but more importantly, Israelis are scrutinized for defending themselves.

There have always been Jews living in the land of Israel. Before Israel was declared the Jewish homeland, there was still a Jewish population that lived on this land. Before there was a British mandate, before the Turkish Empire, before the Islamic religion, Jews lived in this land.

It is hard to understand why Jews have a claim to the land of Israel? Let me put it this way: Jews have a claim to this land the same way that the Nation of Islam has a claim to Mecca and Hindus to the Himalayans.

Israel is the Jewish homeland. It is the one place in the world where Jews can go to and feel safe. The Jewish people have a right to protect and defend their land.

The Palestinian people deserve a homeland. Israelis deserve to live in peace within secure borders. This cannot happen overnight and we all need to understand that. Hopefully, in time, there will be peace so two nations can live peacefully next to one another.