As Israel prepares to defend itself at The Hague in the upcoming deliberations about the alleged illegality of the counter-terrorism fence it is building aside heavily Arab-populated areas, there are those within Israel who wish to remind the public that even within Israel the partition is a matter of intense debate. In a lengthy statement to the media, "Professors for a Strong Israel" explains why it is "Time to Dispense with the Fence." Excerpts:
"Given the anticipated complications at the Israeli High Court of Justice and at the International Court at the Hague regarding the fence and its placement;
"Given the extraordinarily high cost of the fence and its uncertain cost-effectiveness...
"Given the alternate uses to which this money could be put, by investing both in more effective deterrents against [terrorists], and in the sorely needed social programs that are suffering cutbacks in the current social and economic crisis;
"Given the suffering endured by [both Arabs and Jews]...
"Given the undoubted future 'sacrifices to the fence' among soldiers who will need to patrol and secure it in order for it to be functional at all;
"Given the ability to circumvent the fence by tunneling under or by shooting over...
"Given the damage to the environment incurred by the fence's construction and maintenance;
"Given the unfortunate message of weakness and capitulation that the fence's construction broadcasts to the enemy -
"Professors for a Strong Israel strongly advises the Government of Israel to dispense with the fence of the absurd, and to move from the defensive to the offensive."
"Given the anticipated complications at the Israeli High Court of Justice and at the International Court at the Hague regarding the fence and its placement;
"Given the extraordinarily high cost of the fence and its uncertain cost-effectiveness...
"Given the alternate uses to which this money could be put, by investing both in more effective deterrents against [terrorists], and in the sorely needed social programs that are suffering cutbacks in the current social and economic crisis;
"Given the suffering endured by [both Arabs and Jews]...
"Given the undoubted future 'sacrifices to the fence' among soldiers who will need to patrol and secure it in order for it to be functional at all;
"Given the ability to circumvent the fence by tunneling under or by shooting over...
"Given the damage to the environment incurred by the fence's construction and maintenance;
"Given the unfortunate message of weakness and capitulation that the fence's construction broadcasts to the enemy -
"Professors for a Strong Israel strongly advises the Government of Israel to dispense with the fence of the absurd, and to move from the defensive to the offensive."