The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) initiated the road-paving project in order to provide PA residents with a concrete example of cooperation with the United States. So said Alvin Newman, head of the infrastructure department of the agency, in a conversation with Arutz-7's Ruti Avraham.
Newman said the project would demonstrate American support for “the democratically elected government” of the Palestinian Authority. He said it would provide moral support for the PA residents, as well as “promise for the future.”
The roads would be built “to the highest standards” by PA companies under American supervision, Newman said, and would employ 20,000 Arabs in construction.
Since September 2000, the Palestinian Authority has been at least tacitly engaged in a terrorist war against Israel that has led to over 1,000 Israeli casualties. Limiting Arab traffic by enforcing closures and roadblocks has been one of the army’s primary methods of capturing wanted terrorists and preventing their escape.
The roads to be paved under the USAID program would greatly increase the mobility of Palestinian terrorists in the ongoing war. On the other hand, they could also facilitate the IDF’s entry into PA-held territory for the purpose of anti-terror operations.
The project will focus on improving seven road segments:
* 2.5 kilometers from El Bireh (Ramalla) to Kalandia (on the outskirts of Jerusalem);
* 5 kilometers from Tul Karem to Anabta (near Israel’s coastal plain);
* 8 kilometers on Route 60 (the main north-south artery for traffic in Judea and Samaria) in the northern Shomron, from Arrabe to Jaba, near Jenin;
* 3 kilometers between Jenin and Yabed;
* 8 kilometers from Tzurif to Hares in the Hevron area;
* 8 kilometers from Fara to Tubas;
* 4 kilometers from Bet Lakiya to Bet Or in the Ramallah area.
The highway from El Bireh to Jerusalem will be designed as a “model road” that will include sidewalks. Art works from PA artists will be positioned along the route.
A number of political analysts over the years have associated USAID projects with activity by the CIA.
Newman said the project would demonstrate American support for “the democratically elected government” of the Palestinian Authority. He said it would provide moral support for the PA residents, as well as “promise for the future.”
The roads would be built “to the highest standards” by PA companies under American supervision, Newman said, and would employ 20,000 Arabs in construction.
Since September 2000, the Palestinian Authority has been at least tacitly engaged in a terrorist war against Israel that has led to over 1,000 Israeli casualties. Limiting Arab traffic by enforcing closures and roadblocks has been one of the army’s primary methods of capturing wanted terrorists and preventing their escape.
The roads to be paved under the USAID program would greatly increase the mobility of Palestinian terrorists in the ongoing war. On the other hand, they could also facilitate the IDF’s entry into PA-held territory for the purpose of anti-terror operations.
The project will focus on improving seven road segments:
* 2.5 kilometers from El Bireh (Ramalla) to Kalandia (on the outskirts of Jerusalem);
* 5 kilometers from Tul Karem to Anabta (near Israel’s coastal plain);
* 8 kilometers on Route 60 (the main north-south artery for traffic in Judea and Samaria) in the northern Shomron, from Arrabe to Jaba, near Jenin;
* 3 kilometers between Jenin and Yabed;
* 8 kilometers from Tzurif to Hares in the Hevron area;
* 8 kilometers from Fara to Tubas;
* 4 kilometers from Bet Lakiya to Bet Or in the Ramallah area.
The highway from El Bireh to Jerusalem will be designed as a “model road” that will include sidewalks. Art works from PA artists will be positioned along the route.
A number of political analysts over the years have associated USAID projects with activity by the CIA.