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http://www3.haaretz.co.il/eng/htmls/kat7_3.htm
Knut Rognes
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IDF move five checkpoints into West Bank
Army cites security reasons for shift; Palestinians say Israel seeking
water resources
By Amos Harel and Amira Hass
Ha'aretz Correspondents
The Israel Defense Forces have moved five checkpoints east of the Green
Line into the West Bank, in what military sources describe as a tactical
move to better counter terrorism. However, since a large number of
settlements fall within the area covered by the new checkpoints, the new
positions could also signal the beginning of a plan prepared by the IDF to
separate Israel from the Palestinians.
The IDF maintains that the move is meant to provide the settlers with a
greater sense of security. But the eastward move, at some points as much as
a full kilometer into the West Bank, also prevents Palestinians living in
nearby villages from accessing areas under IDF control.
Military sources say that they are willing to grant Palestinians access to
their farmland, gas stations and shopping centers, but the residents and
the PA oppose such a move as they claim it would signal recognition of
Israel's annexation of the territory.
Indeed Palestinian Authority officials are certain that Israel is trying to
establish a de facto situation and annex broad areas. Nabil Sha'ath, PA
Minister for Planning and International Cooperation, rejected yesterday the
IDF argument that the move was tactical and associated with providing
better security. He alleged that his office had verified that the area
Israel has brought under its control for security reasons is rich in water
resources. A senior PA official said that the areas "annexed" are not by
chance along the Western aquifer.
Sha'ath also said yesterday that moving the positions undermines trust in
any attempt by Israel to propose final status solutions.
For their part, the settlers in the area have welcomed the eastward move of
the IDF positions, which they have demanded for a long time in order, they
claim, to counter Palestinian attacks.
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