Friday, July 29, 2011

Al-Jazeera Video: Controversy surrounds West Bank tunnel



"A separation barrier being built by Israel in the West Bank, the occupied Palestinian territory, will further isolate the village of al-Wallaja from the outside world, Palestinians say.

The Hajajleh family, whose backyard is already bound by an electronic fence, is among those who will be cut off from relatives in al-Wallaja.

So Israel is building him an $800,000 personal tunnel as the family's only connection to the village.

Palestinians say the move is not out of goodwill - but is part of a grander government plan to squeeze them out of another huge area of the West Bank.

Jad Isaac, a researcher, says al-Wallaja is standing in the way of Israel's long-term plan to complete a ring of Jewish settlements that would surround the neighbouring city of Bethlehem.

The tunnels would eventually become the village's only means of access to the outside world, he says.

Tom Ackerman reports from the West Bank."

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