Israel has ruled the West Bank since a war in 1967.  Since that time Israel has built many new settlements for Israelis in the area.  Some settlements are tiny communities, some as big as large towns, but all are illegal under international law.  This has made many Palestinians angry, and some have responded violently by attacking Israelis.

Israel says that it is building the barrier to protect its citizens from Palestinian violence.  But the problem is – the barrier doesn’t run along the border between Israel and the West Bank.  Instead it cuts deep into Palestinian land, enclosing a lot of farms and wells – as well as many of the illegal Israeli settlements. 

Many families like Sunduz’s are cut off too, and encounter difficulties in getting to work or school or hospital because of this. 

If Israel wishes to build a barrier for security, it should be on the border between Israel and the West Bank.