How to separate neighbors at the borders?

What to do, what to do?

Shoot rockets, drop big bombs, move in with tanks, move to the bunkers, hold diplomatic talks, or simply separate and build a wall? Several countries around the world have built barriers, walls or fences along one or more of their borders. The United States has done this along our border with Mexico, and is considering further expansion, but the issue is far from settled here. Personally, we have a privacy fence around our own back yard, and things are fine with our neighbors. But things are not fine between neighboring countries in the Middle East, as the following three stories illustrate:

Israel's view - For the past few years the situation between Israel and Palestine has remained rather intractible, to put it mildly. Palestine wants a homeland. A significant number want it to be in Israel, from which so many were ousted. But that is not going to happen, despite suicide bombers, Katusha rockets and masked fighters. Ariel Sharon, now in surgery to save his life which is ebbing away, finally turned his back, threw up his hands and said that Israel would vacate Gaza and hunker down behind a wall. The Middle East Quarterly -Fall 2004 essay asks, "Is Israel's Security Barrier Unique?" I quote Ben Thein. He writes,

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors
When the ICJ (International Court of Justice) ruled on July 9 that Israel's security barrier was illegal, it based its decisions exclusively on interpretation of international humanitarian law. Fourteen of the fifteen judges ruled that Israel should raze its barrier. . . . Perhaps the greatest tragedy of the ICJ decision, however, is that it creates a precedent that allows terrorism to trump security. Israel will not be the only victim. The Turkish government, which vociferously condemned Israel, unwittingly undermined its own security with regard to Syria. Some Pakistani politicians already seek to use the ICJ's decision on Israel to undermine India's self-defense. While separate peace processes proceed in Cyprus, Western Sahara, and Northern Ireland, it was the dampening of terrorism made possible by the security barriers that allowed the space for diplomats to resume negotiations. On a number of levels, the ICJ decision was a ruling against peace and security, not only in Israel but also across the region and elsewhere.

A small territory with a strange name is part of the current news, Consisting of 38 farms in what is known as the Golan Heights, it is called Shebaa Farms. It is like the blind man and the elephant. All the concerned parties see it differently. To quote, Answers.com.,

The United Nations regards the Shebaa Farms part of Syria. But the Lebanese government considers it part of Lebanon, as do Syrian authorities (in contradiction of the 1949 Armistice Agreements). As of yet however, Syria has refused to cooperate
with Lebanon's and the UN's request to have the border in the Shebaa area officially demarcated as belonging to Lebanon. Israel considers it part of the Golan Heights.

What happened six years ago in Lebanon - This BBCNews article in May of 2000 gives good background on the currently named disputed land, Shebaa Farms. To quote the story,

Israel has agreed to leave a section of disputed territory following Wednesday's lightning withdrawal from Lebanon. The defence ministry says troops will withdraw from the "Lebanese" part of the Shebaa farms area, but not the "Syrian" section.
Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon say they will continue to fight unless the Israelis leave the whole area, which is regarded as Lebanese by Beirut and Damascus.

Syria, one of the key players - PBS Online gives us an excellent background map focused on Syria, which the U.S. sees as part of the problem.
Now the fighting and killing continues - These days armed conflict rages in the Middle East where disputes over territory fuel the violence. As well as being heart rending, the news is extremely complex and confusing. The factions remain dug in, but no longer behind the borders. Why is it so difficult and contentious?
Background, more in depth - Here are some sites that might help sort out what we are learning. One of the very best sources of indepth information on the Middle East is provided by CBCNews, which includes this section on Israel's barrier. This BBCNews site has good maps and history.
Tags: middle-east border disputes international relations Hezbollah Israel Lebanon terrorism war

My "creative post" today at Southwest Blogger is more about my mom and Mason Jars.