Should the West Bank barrier be dismantled?

The Palestinians have declared 23 February as a national day of protests against Israel's West Bank barrier.

The demonstrations will coincide with the start of a hearing by the International Court of Justice into the legality of the project.

Israel says the barrier aims to block suicide bombers, but Palestinians say it is a way of grabbing land.

The 720-kilometre (480 mile) barrier is being built inside the West Bank.

The construction has disrupted the lives of thousands of Palestinians, but Israel says it has prevented more than two dozen attempted attacks.

Should the barrier be dismantled? Send us your comments.

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This debate is now closed. Read your comments below.

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

I love seeing how the Europeans are coming down hard on the Israelis for the wall. Has anybody taken the time to think why this wall is being built? Face it Europe, if the Palestinian "militant" groups weren't carrying out suicide bombings against Israeli citizens, then there would be no wall. Israel shouldn't have to answer to anybody when it is dealing with its own security.
Don Barzini, Italy

This monstrous wall is not about security but about stealing more Palestinian land. It is about inflicting more suffering and hardship on a captive civilian population. The Israeli government know very well that freedom and justice for the Palestinians is the shortest way to achieve security for its people but chooses to do exactly the opposite instead. The wall must fall!
Amjad Taha, Palestinian living in the UK

If Israel wants a wall it should be on or inside Israel's border Neville Doherty, Harwinton, USA

If Israel wants a wall it should be on or inside Israel's border. There is no justification whatsoever for building it inside the West Bank. So, yes it should be dismantled.
Neville Doherty, Harwinton, USA

If the violence continues, the encirclement of the Palestinians will isolate them into smaller and smaller territories until they will be nothing more than a series of disconnected islands. However, in view of the suicide bombings, they have no one but themselves to blame.
Mark, USA

If the Israeli government were serious about protecting innocent Israelis from suicide bombers they would seriously address the very legitimate complaints of the Palestinian people. The wall is another land grab and I am afraid it will only increase the violence.
Tom, Canadian in Cholula, Mexico

Countries like France, Germany, England, Norway, and Sweden have no right to tell us what we can and can't do when our own national security is at stake. There is such a virulent anti-Israel stance throughout Europe. It's always Israel against the world (except for the U.S thank God) and I believe we will come out on top.
Luca, Israel

Israel is taking Palestinian land to build a wall. Is this point being missed? How can people say, "It is needed for Israel's protection" when it is in effect stealing? Let the Israeli's wall themselves in, but do it on their own land.
Ava F., USA

It is a security cordon to protect innocent civilians from suicide bombers Lionel, USA

It's not a barrier in the true sense of the word, it is a security cordon to protect innocent civilians from suicide bombers and it should be in place until all terrorist activity is stopped.
Lionel, USA

The wall should be dismantled as it is another stumbling block preventing peace.
Emmanuel Gonda, Canada/Sudan

The wall is a great idea. Stopping suicide bombers is the most important issue. This will definitely help, unfortunately causing Palestine's problems...but saving many Israelis from terrorism.
Dave, UK

Yes, the wall needs to be taken down. It shocks me to see the Israeli Government use their funds to fuel hatred on both sides by making innocent peoples lives harder. The government's time and effort should be focused on making peace and compromise instead of unofficially grabbing land and making borders.
Firas Belbeisi, Ann Arbor MI USA

The real value of the barrier is that by its sheer provocation it will focus the world on finally do all it can to settle this enduring contention between the Israelis and Palestinians!
Edward Bryant, Paris, France

I have a problem with the Israelis building a wall that encroaches deep into Palestinian territory and separates Palestinians both from their families and their livelihoods in many cases. The vast majority of the Palestinians have never done any harm to anyone. This wall however will breed distrust and hostility and possibly more violence as long as it exists.
Pete, Canada

I always think that a country is an enlarged family. Neighbouring countries are like neighbours on our street. Why do we have fences between our houses?
Donna, China

The real barrier that need to be dismantled is the mindset of the leaders of both the Israel and the Palestine.
Alizar Kamili, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Build bridges not walls.
Sakhr, London

A non-violent unilateral solution is the next best approach and that is what this is Anthony, USA

The comparisons between this and the Berlin Wall are irrelevant. The Berlin Wall separated people of the same ethnic group who would have preferred to stay together. This wall will separate people who are killing each other. An agreement between the two sides is almost impossible at this point. A non-violent unilateral solution is the next best approach and that is what this is. The world is not a perfect place. Not every solution can be ideal.
Anthony, USA

It is a sad indictment on the state of the world today that such a wall should be necessary to safeguard lives, but necessary it is. The barrier should remain until both sides can find a way of solving their differences peacefully. Violence has never been a sensible way of achieving political goals. It never will be.
Richard, UK

I hate it. This huge wall being erected is a scar. It's a vicious scar on the land's face. It's very ugly and menacing. It serves as a reminder to all people whoever they are that a great war has been taken place here, and still does.
Eitan Lee, London/Tel Aviv

The wall is an illegal land grab, pure and simple. The international community should work together to dismantle this wall as soon as possible.
Muhammed Hussain, Overland Park, USA

It is time to stop calling for a two state solution. One person, one vote!
Marc, Washington DC, USA

It should not be a permanent solution to the troubles Jonathan Levy, London, England

Fences are nothing new. All countries have barriers for individuals who do not have a right to enter a country (e.g., illegal immigrants). These could be physical or legal barriers or both. It should not be a permanent solution to the troubles.
Jonathan Levy, London, England

Absolutely, the barrier is the worst violation of basic human rights, dignity and spirituality. The actions of the Israeli government and PM Ariel Sharon make people who think clearly and rationally really question the motives and the means.
John Moreno, Guadalajara, Mexico

Why doesn't the world understand that the barrier is simply to protect innocent people's lives? There are many barriers around the world such as between the US and Mexico and they are merely to stop economic migrants.
Steve, UK

The barrier should never have been built. At best it is ineffective, failing to prevent incursions by determined terrorists. At worst it merely stokes the resentment that causes Palestinians to turn to violence. The sooner it's dismantled - the better for everyone in Israel and the West Bank, Israelis included.
Damian Leach, UK

Whilst I feel for the innocent residents of the west bank who's lives have been disrupted, it is of great importance that no Israelis are killed in suicide attacks. My friend died in one of these attacks, had the fence been there perhaps it wouldn't have happened.
Benjamin Cowen, London UK

It's another Berlin Wall. Take it down, ASAP.
Sarah, Bucks, UK

Ill intensions cannot be hidden by walls Waqas, Glasgow, UK

Yes it should. Ill intensions cannot be hidden by walls. Its sad world leaders are blind and do not see the real crime.
Waqas, Glasgow, UK

Building a wall through land that is not yours by any international law has to be illegal and must be dismantled immediately.
Sridhar, Philadelphia, USA

Who can blame the Israelis for attempting to protect innocent civilians? Rupert, London

Whilst the barrier is clearly not an ideal situation, who can blame the Israelis for attempting to protect innocent civilians?
Rupert, London

It is with great sorrow that we see Israel building what divides them from their neighbours rather than what unites them.
Ziad, Surrey, UK

The Security Barrier is a sad and unfortunate necessity. The Israelis could not be expected to sit back and do nothing whilst the Palestinian Authority stalls in negotiations and refuses to comply with the Phase I security condition of the Road Map, namely dismantling Hamas and Islamic Jihad. This is the Wall that Arafat Built.
Brian, Washington, DC

If Israel wants to put a barrier up to prevent attacks then they should build it on their land Chris, Derby, England

If Israel wants to put a barrier up to prevent attacks then they should build it on their land and not grab land from Palestinians. It might save lives but its no reason to why they have to ruin the lives of Palestinians by taking land that doesn't belong to Israel.
Chris, Derby, England

The wall must stay. There's no one for the Israelis to negotiate with, no one who can sign a deal for all the Palestinians and make it stick. Until Arafat or someone else reins in Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the PFLP, Al Aksa Martyr's Brigade, Tanzim, Fatah, the PLO, etc., and shows a sincere interest in making a deal, the wall must stay.
Andrew, Cleveland, USA

It should be dismantled only after suicide bombings stop. Until then it stands as a deterrent and a weapon against those who seek to target innocent civilians by attaching bombs to themselves & detonating them. The West Bank Barrier saves lives.
Sean, Orlando, Florida

The barrier is illegal, inhumane and unjust Raja Shahzad, UK

The barrier is illegal, inhumane and unjust. Israel can not unlawfully continue to occupy and swallow the Palestinian land or squeeze it's people to death.
Raja Shahzad, U.K.

If the country of Israel wants to put the wall up in their territory - that's her right. Israel is a sovereign country that is victim to constant terrorism. If other countries of the world claim Israel is to violent to the Palestinians, at least let Israel deal with the problem.
Mike Daly, Hackettstown, NJ - USA

There is no need for a debate on the issue. The Israelis have already forced the population of Palestinians who managed to remain on the home soil to live in 2 separated areas, much smaller than the plan set out for them in 1947 by the UN, a large majority of whom are forced to live in permanent refugee camps. Now Israel is taking even more land from them with this 'security fence'. It will do anything but create stability for Israel.
Nick, Kent

Israel has the right to defend her self John Tobias, USA

If it is a way to stop Homicide Bombers then I am all for it. Israel has the right to defend her self.
John Tobias, USA

The West Bank Barrier is an unabashed land grab under the pretext of enhanced security and the fight against terrorism. The fence will rather be a catalyst for continuing Palestinian desperation leading to more bloodshed and violence.
Richard Kajut, Youngstown, Ohio, USA

The world is Blind, when it comes to Israel. Peace plan after peace plan, they all fail. Pressure must be put on the Israeli government to remove the Barrier on occupied land. If they can't do it, then a team backed by the UN should be sent to demolish the barrier, weather the Israeli government like it or not!!
Ash Sah, London

"Eye for an eye makes world blind." Stefan Kirov, USA

Yes. It is in Israel long term best interest. On the other hand they can trade this act for some security promises from the Palestinians. But with Sharon vs. Arafat game this is not possible. It is awful and sad that each side does not and does not want to recognize the needs and grieves of the other. "Eye for an eye makes world blind."
Stefan Kirov, USA

The wall has not be erected to steal land. It has been clearly stated on several occasions that it is temporary. How else could Israel stop suicide bombers from gaining access to major Israeli cities? And killing hundreds of innocent civilians.
Gavin, London, UK

The barrier is a metaphor of Israel's humanitarian policy.
Gary Whiting, Canada

Israel does not have any legitimate right to construct a wall within Palestine territory.
Mani, Tamil Eelam

The barrier should not be dismantled until the Palestinians dismantle the terror organizations operating within their society, and stop teaching their children to hate Jews and love death.
Harry Belisow, Toronto, Canada

The security fence will save (and has already saved) many lives. It will make the Palestinian leadership appreciate that the only way they will achieve a viable independent state is by cracking down on terrorism. By preventing terrorists from entering Israel there will be a much smaller need for the IDF to chase them to their bolt-holes in densely populated areas where they use innocent civilians as human shields. I believe that in the long run it will work in the interests of both Israelis and Palestinians.
Jeff, UK