The Geographic Imperative: Withdrawal from the West Bank as a Security

Threat to Israel

Image: CIA World Factbook

The Security ThreatWith talks of Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank (the area of Judea and Samaria) on the rise, it is useful to outline the potential security threat that such an action would bring to the Jewish State.

Arab terrorist groups, including Hamas and Hezbollah, have already taken advantage of recent Israeli military withdrawals from Gaza and southern Lebanon. Both militant organizations moved into the areas Israel evacuated and used them as bases for bombarding Israeli towns with rocket and mortar fire – specifically aiming for civilian buildings in an attempt to terrorize the Israeli people.

It is, therefore, not surprising that Israelis are today asking themselves whether they can take the risk of further territorial concessions that may put the civilian population in the heart of Israel in danger, as well as threaten the capital of Jerusalem and international airport.

The following slides present images of major landmarks in central Israel to give a sense of the geography and topography of the disputed area. This presentation is not meant to suggest that territorial compromise is impossible or necessarily unwise, but it is designed to convey a sense of what is at stake in peace negotiations aimed at creating a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Information by Martin ShermanPhotographs by Hagai Nativ

Kassam and Katyusha Rocket Threat

Terrorists now also have Iranian-supplied Grad rockets with a range of up to 25 miles

This view is of the terminal and runway at Ben Gurion International Airport from the Palestinian village of Rantis in the West Bank.

The distance from the Palestinian village to the airport is only 7.2 miles.

Runway

Terminal

Israeli plane taking off on the runway of Ben Gurion International Airport as seen from a Palestinian village in the

West Bank.

The Palestinian view of an Israeli plane taking off from Ben Gurion International Airport

Central Tel Aviv, Israel’s most populous city with over 1 million residents,

as seen from Palestinian territoryThe distance to Tel Aviv from the West Bank is 11.2 miles.

The well-known Azrieli Towers in the heart of Tel Aviv

Azrieli Towers

The world-famous Diamond Exchange Area in Ramat Gan. Diamond dealers from all over the world come here to do business.

Aviv Towers

The Reading Power Station and the North Dan Region – viewed from Palestinian territory in the West Bank

Reading Power Station

The following areas are within rocket range from the West Bank:

• Major airfields (civilian and military), including Israel’s only international airport

• Major sea ports and naval bases• Vital infrastructure installations • Mainland transport routes (both road and rail)• Principal power plants• The Israeli Parliament• Major centers of government and military command• 80% of Israel’s civilian population and of commercial activity

in the state.