A community divided by concrete

By Richard Miron
BBC correspondent in Jerusalem

Israelis hope the wall will protect them from suicide bombers

Youssef El-Khattib's petrol station sits at the end of a dead end street in the Palestinian town of Abu Dis on the edge of Jerusalem.

Once it was a profitable concern but nowadays he does not get much passing traffic.

"It's a disaster," he says. "I make nothing from it."

Mr Khattib used to employ eight people - now he spends his time checking the petrol pumps in the empty forecourt.

The reason isn't difficult to see.

Just metres from the petrol station there is a high concrete barrier.

It weaves its way through the centre of Abu Dis.

It has also complicated his journey from home to work.

Once he had a drive of five minutes, now he says he has a roundabout journey which takes more than half an hour.

Divided families

Huge trucks carry concrete sections of the barrier which will be lowered into place filling the remaining gaps in Abu Dis.

Israeli soldiers and security personnel keep a watchful gaze over the construction work.

When this section of the barrier is completed, it will cut the area in two, causing social and economic disruption.

When this section of the barrier is completed, it will cut the area in two, causing social and economic disruption.

"The idea is all wrong," says Youssef El-Khattib.

"Families are divided, some on this side of the wall, some on the other."

The barrier's route stretches far beyond Abu Dis, winding its way for 700km (434 miles) through the West Bank.

Almost one third of it has already been built; in parts it is a high concrete wall, in others a wire fence.

In some areas, it reaches far into the West Bank, cutting off Palestinian villages and towns from each other.

But it also connects many Jewish settlements to Israel and is a reassurance to many Israelis who fear that without it suicide bombers would attack them in increasing numbers.

Israelis hope the wall will protect them from suicide bombers

Ilan Sion is the head of Fence for Life, an organisation that has lobbied hard in favour of the barrier.

"If we have the fence as fast as possible, the casualties on both sides will cease," he says.

His organisation opposes any legal moves to halt the barrier's construction.

"We are afraid that the petition (in the Israeli Supreme Court) will stop the fence and may put the Israeli people in danger."

Contested route

There are indications, though, that the Israeli government may alter the route of barrier, shortening it by 100km (62 miles).

Giora Eiland, the head of Israel's National Security Council, has spoken of the need to limit distress caused by the barrier to Palestinians.

He has says its course should be changed in certain areas.

There has also been growing opposition in the region, as well as in Europe and in the United States, to the barrier.

Government officials in Washington have lodged protests with the Israelis on the route of the barrier.

But looking at the concrete slabs being put into place in Abu Dis, Youssef El-Khattib does not believe the legal and political moves will make any difference to him .

"I feel very sad," he says.

"I am uncertain for my future and for the future of my children."