If the analogy holds true that every leftist wishes he could be a Marxist, it is equally true that every conservative wishes he could be a libertarian. Unfortunately, conservative accept that government has several useful roles to play, prominent among them national defense. And while the right might be hesitant to countenance uncompensated taking of American land for the sake of national defense do you really think they'd shed a tear if government seizure of, say, Canadian...better yet Iraqi...land was deemed necessary to safeguard our troops and our people? The wall is a necessary evil; it has been at least partly responsible for the 'all quiet on the Middle Eastern front' that has existed for the past several months. Additionally it may provide the only way Israel can remove itself from much of the Palestinian territories while still retaining security.

By the same token, it's more than a little hypocritical for progressives to criticize Israel for putting the national interest -- its right to self-defense -- above property rights.

I notice that you make no mention of the possibility that the wall is a response to years of terrorist attacks, launched against Israel by the Palestinians.

BTW, Israel has long since offered to compensate the Palestinians for their land behind the wall.

personally, i can't see how the wall/fence (as actually built and planned) is for self-defense...

of course, my knowledge is limited... i've studied the maps (for example at b'tselem and i've visited just three of the west bank villages affected: jayyus, kafr laqif, kafr qaddum. even the idf soldiers i talked with did not claim the wall/fence was for security. some of them (as well as the settlers i spoke with) described it as clearing arabs from the land.

anoncon and chef ragout - why do you think the fence/wall is for security and not a land grab of more palestinian territory?

And considering as how it will mark the end of negotiations by Isreal and the defeat of the idea of pushing Isreal into the sea, it will cause a bloody civil war within Palestine. Of which, we are beginning to see the first news reports of just the last few days.

I still am puzzled about why the left consistently criticizes EVERY SINGLE self-defense measure Israel takes, even one as passive as building a fence. Why is it that self-proclaimed progressives hate Israel so much, ironically the only progressive country in the Middle East, and defends their fascist enemies. It seems to me the left is at the least indifferent and probably even gleeful over the murder of Israelis, at least that is true of the radical left such as ANSWER AND ISM. The truth is they want Israel destroyed. They want Jews ethnically cleansed. Also why doesn't the left focus any attention on true human rights disasters around the world such as the Sudan, and focuses a disproportionate amount of time on Israel?

I still am puzzled about why the left consistently criticizes EVERY SINGLE self-defense measure Israel takes, even one as passive as building a fence. Why is it that self-proclaimed progressives hate Israel so much, ironically the only progressive country in the Middle East, and defends their fascist enemies. It seems to me the left is at the least indifferent and probably even gleeful over the murder of Israelis, at least that is true of the radical left such as ANSWER AND ISM. The truth is they want Israel destroyed. They want Jews ethnically cleansed. Also why doesn't the left focus any attention on true human rights disasters around the world such as the Sudan, and focuses a disproportionate amount of time on Israel?

I love the wall Isreal is building. The best part is that there are 2 Palestinian Companies supplying all of the concrete to build the wall.
I guess the Islamic murderers love the wall as well!!! They can make $$$ while cpmp[laining about the very wall they are getting paid to build.
Sounds like a ambulance chasing lawyer, sorry, let's keep John Edwards out of this!!!!

Let's all watch this one, if it works I suggest we build one around America. That will keep those illegals out...

laura,

the wall is NOT being build for self-defense. look at the maps. if it was build on israeli land along the green line, i don't know anyone who would object... but, that is NOT what is happening - it is a major land grab and ethnic cleansing.

certainly none of the ISM people i met are indifferent let alone gleeful over the murder or suffering of israelis. where their postion may differ from some is that they are also not indifferent to the murder or suffering of palestinians. also, ISM is not radical left - unless you consider the proposition that the universality of human rights is a radical left position.

Laura,
The Left is NOT for the destruction and ethnic cleansing of Israel. Nor has it criticized EVERY SINGLE defense measure Israel has taken. If you're going to make a post like that, then provide non-biased facts to that extent, or have the decency to lay off the baiting claptrap talk. Israels settlements in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are ILLEGAL! The EU and the UN have condemned Israel for the wall they are building. I do believe that the state of Israel has EVERY right to exist, and EVERY right to defend itself. I also believe that the state of Palestine has the right to exist just as much...and the right to defend itself. Israel has NO right to it's settlements in the West Bank and the Gaza strip. Israel has no right to be a bully, anymore than the Palestinians do. BOTH sides have been responsible for the violence, BOTH sides need to knock it off, and work together. Israel needs to get out of Gaza, and out of the West Bank. Period. End of Story. Let the Palestinians have their state in Gaza and the West Bank. Secure the border. leave each other alone. And if one side attacks the other, for no good reason, then that side needs to be held accountable for it's actions. BOTH sides need to grow up. I am not Anti-semitic, I am not anti-Israel. But I do think that if Israel is kicking other peoples shins, then we, like the rest of the world need to tell Israel to knock it off. They can't act like bullies, and then hide behind the "but we're defending ourselves." stance. Neither can the Palestinians. For the sake of the innocents on BOTH SIDES, everyones gonna have to give. The radical Palestinians that want Israel destroyed, have to be stopped. The illegal Jewish settlements in the Gaza and West Bank need to be removed. Both sides are gonna have to deal with it, if they want peace.