GILO, Israel—Israel has started taking down a concrete wall between the Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo and the Palestinian town of Beth Jallah, which was used to protect the Israeli neighborhood from gunfire and shelling.
The protective 6,560-foot wall was built eight years ago during the “Al Aqsa” Intifada (or Palestinian uprising) after residents suffered from gunfire and shells fired from Beth Jallah. According to Arutz Sheva (“channel seven”) radio news, between 2000 and 2001, Gilo suffered about 100 incidents of gun and mortar fire from the Palestinian side.
“Residents lived in fear and placed sandbags in their windows and porches,” reported Arutz Sheva.
However, because the security situation in the area is now stable, Israeli defense forces have started dismantling the concrete wall. The work is expected to take two weeks.
Gilo is located on the southwestern outskirts of East Jerusalem, and is often referred to as a settlement since it was built on land captured by Israel during the 1967 war.
Gilo residents had different opinions regarding the removal of the protective wall.
“We are good neighbors and the wall is unnecessary, as there is no reason to separate between[sic] us,” said one man.
A local teenager said, “It’s a good thing that they take it down, finally we will have [a] better view.”
“It’s a pity, because we have already gotten used to it, and the paintings [on the wall] are pretty,” said another woman.
While other residents are still fearful of violence. “I’m not sure the gunfire will not resume, and it’s a waste of the state’s money [to take down the wall],” said another resident.
Gilo’s wall is not part of the controversial 403-mile wall that Israel is currently erecting in several regions of the West Bank.
With additional reporting by Tova Kokaso
The protective 6,560-foot wall was built eight years ago during the “Al Aqsa” Intifada (or Palestinian uprising) after residents suffered from gunfire and shells fired from Beth Jallah. According to Arutz Sheva (“channel seven”) radio news, between 2000 and 2001, Gilo suffered about 100 incidents of gun and mortar fire from the Palestinian side.
“Residents lived in fear and placed sandbags in their windows and porches,” reported Arutz Sheva.
However, because the security situation in the area is now stable, Israeli defense forces have started dismantling the concrete wall. The work is expected to take two weeks.
Gilo is located on the southwestern outskirts of East Jerusalem, and is often referred to as a settlement since it was built on land captured by Israel during the 1967 war.
Gilo residents had different opinions regarding the removal of the protective wall.
“We are good neighbors and the wall is unnecessary, as there is no reason to separate between[sic] us,” said one man.
A local teenager said, “It’s a good thing that they take it down, finally we will have [a] better view.”
“It’s a pity, because we have already gotten used to it, and the paintings [on the wall] are pretty,” said another woman.
While other residents are still fearful of violence. “I’m not sure the gunfire will not resume, and it’s a waste of the state’s money [to take down the wall],” said another resident.
Gilo’s wall is not part of the controversial 403-mile wall that Israel is currently erecting in several regions of the West Bank.
With additional reporting by Tova Kokaso
