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Focuses on the controversy surrounding the separation barrier being built by Israel along the West Bank. Speculation by critics on the real purpose of the barrier; Bases of the barrier's logistics; Effects of the barrier; Development of rockets by miltants to counter the effect of the barrier.

The article reports on Israel's barrier route in West Bank. When Israel's "security fence" in the West Bank is finished, it will run between Kedumim and Kfar Qaddum. Though the barrier route, revised in February, now hugs more closely the "green line" (which marked the boundary between Israel and Jordan before the war of 1967) and bites off less Palestinian land, it also extends numerous arms deep into the occupied lands, around the main Jewish settlement blocks. This is a tightening of the economic noose imposed by Israeli security measures, which have barely relaxed since the Israeli and Palestinian leaders declared a ceasefire two months ago. Farming remains the only source of income for many Palestinians. The authorities take advantage of the often murky land registry to expropriate land Palestinians say is theirs. Israel's plan seems to be two-pronged. First, withdraw the settlers from Gaza. Second, surround the main West Bank settlements with the barrier and build so many Jewish homes there that giving them back to any future Palestinian state would be impractical. The barrier's most perverse effects are reserved for a handful of villages that have ended up in a legal twilight zone. Though they have been within the municipal boundary of Jerusalem since the eastern part was annexed in 1980, their Arab residents, for historic reasons, hold West Bank identity cards.

Discusses several issues related to the construction of separation barriers in West Bank. Impact of the barriers at the north of Jerusalem on Palestinians in the area; Plans of Israel to build a system of bridges and tunnels that will link the fragmented Palestinian areas; Optimism behind the negotiations between the Palestinian leadership and the Israeli government.

After recent court decisions, Israeli military planners have begun changing the route of the country's West Bank barrier to minimize impact on Palestinian villages and lands. "The old route was determined solely by security considerations and the new one will take into account Israel's security needs as well as Palestinian rights," says a defense official. Work proceeds despite the July 9 ruling by the International Court of Justice in the Hague, Holland, that the 730-kilometer fence was illegal and should come down. Israel rejected the nonbinding ruling as one-sided and not accounting for suicide terrorism that first prompted the $2-billion barrier. The route changes come in the wake of a June 30 ruling by the Israeli Supreme Court.