A tale of two fences, one real, one contemplated
JERUSALEM – America can look to Israel as a valuable test case as it contemplates construction of a fence along the Mexican border.
The Jewish state is largely achieving its goal of keeping out Palestinian suicide bombers through a sprawling complex of fences, electric sensors and concrete slabs that snake in and out of the West Bank. But building the barrier has been a gut-wrenching process, fraught with political and diplomatic hurdles, that has worsened Israel’s relations with its neighbors.
To be sure, there are key differences. Most important, the Israeli structure frequently juts into territory claimed by the Palestinians. The American fence would run along a recognized border.
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The Mexican War of 1848 was a big land-grab. The Southwest of the US is a lot like the West Bank.