A little known fact: Israels security fence does not, and is not designed to, keep Arab residents of East Jerusalem from entering West Jerusalem freely. They do. They have ever since 1967. They have been an island of tranquility up to now.
Last March, an Arab resident of East Jerusalem took advantage of his freedom of movement to walk into the Mercaz HaRav yeshiva and gun down eight students. Two weeks ago, an Arab resident of East Jerusalem similarly took advantage of his freedom to mow down three Jews and injure many others via a construction bulldozer.
Both Arab residents of East Jerusalem were gainfully employed in West Jerusalem. Both show that increased freedom of movement for Palestinian Arabs, and their employment, does not reduce terrorism. The so called root cause argument is fallacious. If only the Palestinian Arabs didnt have checkpoints, and did have jobs, the Arab-Israeli conflict would be solved. Not so. Arab residents of East Jerusalem who work mainly in Israels hospitality industry (hotels, rent-a-car offices, etc.) and construction industry do not need to get stuck at checkpoints. They go to work and go home in a normal manner.
This, we predict sadly, is coming to an end. Israel is now debating the precise steps it must take to stop Arab East Jerusalemites who, enjoy Israeli welfare and health care benefits from carrying out terrorist acts.
Whatever Israel does, it will likely lead to the redivision of Jerusalem. Right now, there is free movement in all parts of the city. Up to now, the Arab residents have had the good sense not to abuse their rights, not to kill innocent people. With two we hate to use the word, but here it is creative terrorist attacks in four months, they have lost their good sense. Most Arab residents like their rights and their benefits, but that is not the same thing as saying that most oppose the killings.
It is truly sad that there needs to be a security fence anywhere in the land of Israel. The idea that only a 25-foot wall, or a sophisticated set of wires and sensors, can keep Arabs from killing Jewish civilians is sickening. And now, it is even sadder that the one geographical exception the unified city of Jerusalem seems likely to need the same types of barriers. If the Arab residents of East Jerusalem want to keep their rights and benefits, let them vocally and tactically oppose the terrorists in their midst. The ball is their court. Otherwise, Jerusalem will act. It has to protect itself.
