The Israeli Solution to Palestinian Terrorism: The Israeli Security Fence

This research examined the Israeli Security Fence and attempted to determine whether or not the Israeli Security Fence is an effective solution to reduce Palestinian terrorism in Israel. The research used a historical examination of separation walls, the current situation of the Arab-Israeli peace process, and the other factors surrounding the security fence to determine if the Israeli Security Fence objectives can be achieved. To address the primary and subordinate questions with this study, the researcher conducted a lengthy literature review covering three main topics: the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, historical separation walls, and Israeli Security Fence plans. As a result of this study, the researcher will be better able to support Army operations involving force protection matters and will be a more informed officer regarding terrorism. The Israeli Security Fence as an effective solution to reduce Palestinian terrorism in Israel only scratches the surface of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Therefore, the researcher recommends that as a security system the Israeli Security Fence should be further studied after it is fully implemented. Additionally, the following areas of emphasis may assist in the understanding of the possible outcomes the construction of the Security Fence may create: (1) combating an insurgency using security and separation; (2) economic impacts of separation of populations and its effects on an insurgency; (3) external support of the Palestinian Authority and its economic impact on terrorism in Israel; (4) the strategy of terrorism, counterterrorism, and politics in Israel and Palestine; and (5) Israeli counterterrorism operational factors and effects in the West Bank.
The original document contains color images.