Security Barrier

Matt Duss has a very nice discussion of the legal and political questions surrounding the Israeli security barrier, with links to additional material. I try to avoid almost all discussion of the Israeli-Palestinian dispute in my classes and my writing; others know more and have far stronger opinions about it than I. Discussion in class tends to degenerate very quickly after the subject is broached. I take the scoundrel’s way out in my dissertation, discussing only some technical aspects of Israeli military doctrine without talking about the justice of their application to the Palestinian people. Of course, the fact that I’m circumspect should give some indication of how uncomfortable I am with Israeli policy.

Anyway, the most important element of Matt’s post deals with the question that has plagued Americans since 1992: Can Dick Morris write or say anything without making an ass of himself?

The Israeli action also holds important lessons for the United States. In effect, Israel is saying that neither negotiation nor military raids can destroy the Palestinian terror organization. But technology, by putting Israeli civilians out of reach, can do so.

So, Dick, should we just build a wall around the United States? Even if we did, I think Mexico and Canada would have a legitimate gripe if we built our wall several miles over their borders, destroying homes and farmland and making thousands homeless in the process.

And, I might add, a tall wall to keep people out is probably not the most advanced technology we have available to us. It’s possible that someone has thought of it before. . .