Writing a Washington Post op—ed, David Ignatius asserts that the security fence being built by Israel to shield its people from suicide bombings will harm its relationship with Jordan. According to him, the Jordanians apparently fear that the Palestinians will not find a state based on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip viable, and will seek to augment their territory by absorbing Jordan instead of taking over Israeli territory as the  end result of terror bombings by death cultists.

His logic is more compelling when applied to Israel's perspective regarding the existential threat to their nation. Palestinian Authority maps, those used in their schools and official documents, display a Palestinian state encompassing all of the lands of Israel (and none of Jordan). If the Jordanians fear the Palestinians, imagine how the average Israeli feels.

Criticizing Israel for the fence (which can be moved as part of a peace treaty) would be analogous to criticism of America for its efforts to control its border with Mexico. Would we be dissuaded by complaints from Mexico's neighbors to the south, Guatemala and Belize, that somehow our efforts to secure our borders would drive Mexican emigrants southward, impinging on their sovereignty?

The Jordanians should be working with the Palestinians to ensure peace and to make their state a place where Palestinians want to live, not want to leave.

Posted by Ed   01 31 04