The more than 500 families in the Dolev-Talmon bloc of Jewish towns in Binyamin are suffering the results of army decisions to cut off two of their most important roads: One that leads to Jerusalem, and one that leads to Beit El. So says Tzippy Shlissel of the bloc\'s smallest town, Haresha (17 families); she is the chief organizer of a group of women who hold weekly demonstrations at the Dolev-Talmon junction against the decision.
\"The cutting off of these two roads essentially doubles the time it takes us to reach Jerusalem,\" she told Arutz-7 today. Travel time for school children to Beit El has increased three-fold, and \"many women here have even lost jobs because of this.\" When reminded that the army claims that the road-closings are for the residents\' protection, in an effort to avoid terrorist attacks on roads close to Palestinian-populated areas, Ms. Shlissel said, \"If so, it does not appear to be working. In fact, closing off roads may even increase their motivation to shoot at us, because they see that as a result of their efforts, more roads are closed and it becomes harder for us to live here. The army must simply do what it has to in order to keep these roads safe.\"
Tzippy Shlissel said that the purpose of the demonstrations is \"to arouse public opinion, and that of the army and government, to realize our suffering.\" She said that although the roads are also officially closed to Arab traffic as well, \"the Arabs seem to be able to get through very well, with special permits and the like. It seems that for every Arab who is not allowed to use the road, another one gets through.\"
A slightly more rowdy protest was held this afternoon along the Tunnels Highway by residents of Gilo and Gush Etzion. They blocked off the road, with the demand that the security forces take the necessary steps to ensure their safety. Some participants said that the protest was a signal to the local Arabs that they have no intention of leaving the area. Twelve Jewish protestors were arrested.
\"The cutting off of these two roads essentially doubles the time it takes us to reach Jerusalem,\" she told Arutz-7 today. Travel time for school children to Beit El has increased three-fold, and \"many women here have even lost jobs because of this.\" When reminded that the army claims that the road-closings are for the residents\' protection, in an effort to avoid terrorist attacks on roads close to Palestinian-populated areas, Ms. Shlissel said, \"If so, it does not appear to be working. In fact, closing off roads may even increase their motivation to shoot at us, because they see that as a result of their efforts, more roads are closed and it becomes harder for us to live here. The army must simply do what it has to in order to keep these roads safe.\"
Tzippy Shlissel said that the purpose of the demonstrations is \"to arouse public opinion, and that of the army and government, to realize our suffering.\" She said that although the roads are also officially closed to Arab traffic as well, \"the Arabs seem to be able to get through very well, with special permits and the like. It seems that for every Arab who is not allowed to use the road, another one gets through.\"
A slightly more rowdy protest was held this afternoon along the Tunnels Highway by residents of Gilo and Gush Etzion. They blocked off the road, with the demand that the security forces take the necessary steps to ensure their safety. Some participants said that the protest was a signal to the local Arabs that they have no intention of leaving the area. Twelve Jewish protestors were arrested.