Israel Removes West Bank Checkpoint Following Rice Visit

[bemildred]

Under U.S. pressure, Israel has begun easing travel restrictions for Palestinians in the West Bank. As Robert Berger reports from VOA's Jerusalem bureau, the move has aroused Israeli anxiety and Palestinian skepticism.

Israel dismantled a major West Bank checkpoint at the request of U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice who visited here this week. Rice had pressed Israel to ease travel restrictions to improve the lives of Palestinians and increase support for the peace process. Israel also plans to remove 50 dirt roadblocks.

So the Israeli army removed the checkpoint that connects the West Bank city of Ramallah with the town of Jericho. Israel also plans to remove 50 dirt roadblocks.

Both the army and the government are doing this reluctantly. They fear that Palestinian militants will exploit the new freedom of movement to smuggle weapons and carry out suicide bombings in Israeli cities.

http://voanews.com/english/2008-04-01-voa26.cfm

[Vegasaurus]

1. Count the days to the next suicide bombing

every time the Palestinians are given an inch, the militants take a mile in their efforts to kill Israelis.

Why not look at fewer checkpoints as a way to have increased mobility, instead of a chance to blow up more innocent people?

[subsuelo]

2. hey if a suicide bombing happens -- "war sucks" you know

Those were your words I believe, in response to one of Israel's attacks on the civilians of Gaza (or it might have been one of your justifications for letting civilians in need of medical care die - I forget which specifically).

At any rate. Just wondering how you thought that phrase might go over when it is posed the other way around.

[breakaleg]

3. Only 450 more to go. nt

[subsuelo]

4. hey if removing 1 checkpoint will get Americans to quit whining about the peace process

worth the price eh?

:sarcasm:

[bemildred]

5. Come on, don't forget the 50 dirt roadblocks.

A lot is being sacrificed here. Barak's ego is on the line too.

[pixiesix]

6. huh?

What do you mean?

[bemildred]

7. Nothing, forget it. nt

[azurnoir]

8. dirt roadblocks?

confessing ignorance here, what does that mean? There are several possibilities.

[bemildred]

9. You got me, but that's what it says, 50 dirt roadblocks. nt