ARABS-ISRAEL - July 10 - Israel Approves New Barrier.

Israel's Cabinet endorses a separation barrier in occupied Jerusalem meant to stop suicide bombers, over strident Palestinian objections and some US misgivings because it will cut off 55,000 Palestinian residents from their city and isolate the Arab section from the West Bank. The wall being built in the village of Abu Dis on the outskirts of occupied Jerusalem. PM Ariel Sharon last week ordered construction of the occupied Jerusalem segment of the barrier to be accelerated, and government ministries have until Sept 1 to complete their preparations. The wall around occupied Jerusalem is part of the partially completed barrier along and in the West Bank. The route around occupied Jerusalem, originally approved in January 2004, is particularly contentious. It reshapes the boundaries of the disputed city claimed by Israelis and Palestinians as a capital and dramatically changes its demographics. The barrier leaves four Arab neighbourhoods of occupied Jerusalem, with some 55,000 residents, on the West Bank side, while including the largest Jewish West Bank colony, Maaleh Adumim with close to 30,000 people, on the occupied Jerusalem side. The fate of occupied Jerusalem was to have been determined in talks on a final peace deal. The Palestinians say the barrier pre-empts the outcome of negotiations, and also separates east Jerusalem the sector they claim for a capital from its West Bank hinterland. Israel has portrayed the barrier as a temporary security measure, to keep out Palestinian bombers and gunmen. The US says Israel has the right to defend itself, but should minimise hardship to Palestinians in drawing the barrier route. The Cabinet on July 10 approved a plan to build 11 passages through the occupied Jerusalem barrier. The ministers did not explain how they would ensure quick passage of tens of thousands of Arab residents who need to get to schools, jobs and hospitals and the centre of the city. The government said it would build some new schools and clinics in the Arab neighbourhoods cut off by the barrier. Vice PM Ehud Olmert said that once the barrier around occupied Jerusalem is completed, some 55,000 Palestinian residents of the city would find themselves on the wrong side of the barrier. Occupied Jerusalem has about 700,000 residents, including about 230,000 Palestinians who carry blue Israeli identity cards that identify them as permanent residents, grant them freedom of movement and make them eligible for Israel's social services. West Bankers, who carry green or orange identity cards, are severely restricted in their movement and since the outbreak of fighting have largely been barred from entering Israel. The barrier will slice through four outlying Palestinian neighbourhoods of occupied Jerusalem Kufr Aqab, Anata, Qalandia and the Shufat refugee camp. Residents of these four neighbourhoods will also find it difficult to get to jobs, schools and hospitals in the city.