Analysis: Why Benjamin Netanyahu can’t finish West Bank security barrier

Construction of the West Bank security barrier has been mostly frozen for nine years, even though some 36 percent has yet to be completed.

 

Nor is it likely to be finished in the near future, despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s promise last week to wrap a security fence around the entire State of Israel.

 

“We are also preparing a plan to close the breaches in the security fence in Judea and Samaria,” Netanyahu said.

 

At issue is not a “hole” or “breach” in a fence initially designed in 2002, at the height of the second intifada to halt Palestinian suicide bombers, but rather more than 250 km. of a 790-km. route that has yet to be built around three main settlement blocs – Gush Etzion, Ariel and Ma’aleh Adumim, including E1.

 

During the last 14 years, Israel has remained orally committed to its right to safeguard its citizens with a barrier. Pragmatically on the ground, however, its work on the route has advanced just 47 km. since 2007, according to United Nations data.

 

Read More: Analysis: Why Benjamin Netanyahu can’t finish West Bank security barrier – Israel News – Jerusalem Post