In the wake of the abominable shooting attack at the Gush Etzion intersection, we were informed that by decision of the defense minister, the IDF is expanding the implementation of the “separation plan” on the roads of the West Bank, a plan which will prevent friction between Israelis and Palestinians, by setting up two separate road systems.

It should be noted that such a separation was made a long time ago on a number of roads, such as road 443, which used almost entirely only by Jews. According to the new plan, the main roads in the West Bank will be used by 200,000 settlers who live there, while dirt roads between the villages will serve the 2,300,000 Palestinians who also live in the West Bank. Until the future paving of most of the roads for the Palestinians, most of those living in villages will have to remain cut off and make their way throughout the West Bank on foot and on donkey- and horseback.

From the perspective of the defense minister, this plan, effective and elegant, allows the creation of sterile roads and prevents shooting attacks on passing cars. But, in effect, this is another dimension of the apartheid policy prevailing in the territories, which creates hatred and terror, negating basic rights from millions of people and forcing an entire nation to live under a constant curfew.

In order to try and understand the significance of this decision, try for a minute to imagine what would be the response of the Israel public if suddenly, for security reasons, or because of the desire to fight road accidents, the IDF closed the coastal road and forced drivers to choose alternative roads. Now try to imagine how your world would look if the alternatives to the coastal road were blocked and only trails and footpaths were open for traffic.

One can only imagine the great amount of distress felt by a majority of Israeli civilians and the tremendous hostility we would all feel toward this restrictive and forceful move, preventing freedom of movement and stopping our ability to conduct normal lives

It is unnecessary to mention also that from the humanitarian perspective, the blocking of roads is catastrophic and could lead to the death of the very ill, harm pregnant women and make it difficult to provide medical aid, moving of medicine and food.

Maintaining security and the fight against terror are necessary in this reality and the IDF and GSS must continue their important work. But the battle against terror is not a blank check allowing the lives of an entire people to be turned into a nightmare, without hope and full of hatred and anger. Racist and forceful policies do not fit in with the values of Judaism, oppose the principles of democracy and  increase hatred and the desire to continue terror attacks.