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THE ISRAELI SOLUTION TO PALESTINIAN TERRORISM: THE ISRAELI SECURITY FENCE

A thesis presented to the Faculty of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in partial

fulfillment of the requirements for the degree

MASTER OF MILITARY ART AND SCIENCE

General Studies

by

JOSEPH T. IRWIN JR., MAJ, USA (AD) B.S., The Citadel The Military College of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 1991

Fort Leavenworth, Kansas 2006

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

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16-06-2006 2. REPORT TYPE Master’s Thesis

3. DATES COVERED (From - To) Aug 2005 - Jun 2006 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE The Israeli Solution to Palestinian Terrorism: The Israeli Security Fence

5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER

6. AUTHOR(S) Irwin Jr., Joseph T., MAJ

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14. ABSTRACT This research examined the Israeli Security Fence and attempted to determine whether or not the Israeli Security Fence is an effective solution to reduce Palestinian terrorism in Israel. The research used a historical examination of separation walls, the current situation of the Arab-Israeli peace process, and the other factors surrounding the security fence to determine if the Israeli Security Fence objectives can be achieved. To address the primary and subordinate questions with this study, the researcher conducted a lengthy literature review covering three main topics: the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, historical separation walls, and Israeli Security Fence plans. As a result of this study, the researcher will be better able to support Army operations involving force protection matters and will be a more informed officer regarding terrorism. The Israeli Security Fence as an effective solution to reduce Palestinian terrorism in Israel only scratches the surface of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Therefore, the researcher recommends that as a security system the Israeli Security Fence should be further studied after it is fully implemented. Additionally, the following areas of emphasis may assist in the understanding of the possible outcomes the construction of the Security Fence may create: (1) combating an insurgency using security and separation; (2) economic impacts of separation of populations and its effects on an insurgency; (3) external support of the Palestinian Authority and its economic impact on terrorism in Israel; (4) the strategy of terrorism, counterterrorism, and politics in Israel and Palestine; and (5) Israeli counterterrorism operational factors and effects in the West Bank. 15. SUBJECT TERMS Israeli Security Fence, Palestinian Terrorism in Israel, Israel, Terrorism, Separation Walls, Security, Palestinian-Israeli Conflict

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MASTER OF MILITARY ART AND SCIENCE

THESIS APPROVAL PAGE

Name of Candidate: MAJ Joseph T. Irwin Jr. Thesis Title: The Israeli Solution to Palestinian Terrorism: The Israeli Security Fence Approved by: , Thesis Committee Chair LTC Roy A. Moss, M.B.A. , Member Mr. John N. Cary, M.A. , Member Timothy L. Sanz, Ph.D. Accepted this 16th day of June 2006 by: , Director, Graduate Degree Programs Robert F. Baumann, Ph.D. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student author and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to this study should include the foregoing statement.)

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ABSTRACT

THE ISRAELI SOLUTION TO PALESTINIAN TERRORISM: THE ISRAELI SECURITY FENCE, by MAJ Joseph T. Irwin Jr., 72 pages. This research examined the Israeli Security Fence and attempted to determine whether or not the Israeli Security Fence is an effective solution to reduce Palestinian terrorism in Israel. The research used a historical examination of separation walls, the current situation of the Arab-Israeli peace process, and the other factors surrounding the security fence to determine if the Israeli Security Fence objectives can be achieved. To address the primary and subordinate questions with this study, the researcher conducted a lengthy literature review covering three main topics: the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, historical separation walls, and Israeli Security Fence plans. As a result of this study, the researcher will be better able to support Army operations involving force protection matters and will be a more informed officer regarding terrorism. The Israeli Security Fence as an effective solution to reduce Palestinian terrorism in Israel only scratches the surface of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Therefore, the researcher recommends that as a security system the Israeli Security Fence should be further studied after it is fully implemented. Additionally, the following areas of emphasis may assist in the understanding of the possible outcomes the construction of the Security Fence may create: (1) combating an insurgency using security and separation; (2) economic impacts of separation of populations and its effects on an insurgency; (3) external support of the Palestinian Authority and its economic impact on terrorism in Israel; (4) the strategy of terrorism, counterterrorism, and politics in Israel and Palestine; and (5) Israeli counterterrorism operational factors and effects in the West Bank.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was completed with the patience of my family and the guidance of

my committee members. The challenges and frustrations of this process were greatly

outweighed by the educational benefits I received during my MMAS journey. The

opportunity to work with professional faculty, committee members and fellow students

greatly enhanced this experience. I appreciate the assistance and encouragement of all

involved. I want to single out a true caring and dedicated professional Ms. Helen Davis

who helped me as well as many others with the formatting of this project. Her dedication

to the students in the MMAS program is truly outstanding. Finally, I want to thank COL

(Ret) Mary Goodwin for her recommendation that I enroll in the MMAS program while

working as a member of the CGSC Staff.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Page

MASTER OF MILITARY ART AND SCIENCE THESIS APPROVAL PAGE ............. ii

ABSTRACT....................................................................................................................... iii

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................. iv

ACRONYMS.................................................................................................................... vii

ILLUSTRATIONS .......................................................................................................... viii

TABLE............................................................................................................................... ix

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................1

Background..................................................................................................................... 1 Historical Conflict........................................................................................................... 2 Purpose of Research........................................................................................................ 2 Pri