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In june 2001 a grass roots organization called "Fence for Life" - The Public Movement for The Security Fence began the civil struggle for the construction of a continuous security fence. The movement was founded by people from all over Israel following the Dolphinarium terror attack.

The goal of the Movement, is to encourage the goverment to construction a Security Fence along Israel borders. "Fence for Life" urged the goverment to build a continuous Fence as speedily as possible, and without any connection to the political future of the areas it separates, with a goal of hermetically sealing off the Palestinian territories from Israeli population center to prevent the terrorist acts by Palestinians against the people living in Israel.

From the very beginning of its public campaign , "Fence for Life" emphasized that any Security Fence has no connection whatsoever to the political future of the settlements. The Movement for the Security Fence for Israel included protests, demonstrations, conferences with public figures, media blitzes, lobbying in the Knesset as well as legal battles in the High Court of Justice, both with demands to quickly build the Security Fence as well as appeals not to cause further delay in construction. The Movement does not support any specific path for the Barrier, as this is subject to a goverment decision. "Fence for Life" was of the opinion that “politicization” of the Fence by various groups was delaying the completion of the Security Barrier and is likely to block its construction. At the end of 2002, due to goverment inaction several localities who suffered the most from lack of a border barrier have started to build the barrier using their own funds directly on the green-line.

The movment main claims:

1. The failure to build the security fence is the longest lasting failure in the history of israel

2. Thousand of israelis murdered and thousands wounded by palestinian terrorists since october 2000

3. To this day, the security fence is not complete

web site: http://www.hagader.com/English/main.asp

History

11-12 Dec 01 The movement “Fence for life” erected a tent and did a sitting strike for two days in Tel-Aviv. The strike was continuous for two days at Arlozorov Junction in Tel-Aviv. Hundreds of people visited the protest tent during these two days, expressing their support and sympathy to our cause. Many more saw our protest while passing by on the bus and deliberately disembarked to join us. Ceremonies of lighting together Hanukkah candles took place. Hundreds of flyers were distributed. Hundreds of stickers were placed on cars. Amongst the signs wielded were: “A separation fence – the only way” “A separation fence – or terror from the West Bank” “Erect a fence now!” “A separation fence to prevent suicide bombings” “A separation fence to prevent return” “The right and left demand a security fence” “Prime minister, heed the president”

30 Nov 01 The movement “Fence for life” protested at North Raanana Junction. 15 active members were present at the protest, wielding signs and distributing stickers proclaiming “A separation fence – the only way”. Fliers were handed out to drivers passing by.

23 Nov 01 The movement “Fence for life” protested at both Glilot and Arlozorov Junctions in Tel Aviv. 15 active members were present at the protest: signs , stickers and fliers.

09 Nov 01 The movement “Fence for life” protested at Arlozorov Junction in Tel Aviv. 10 members used signs, stickers and fliers.

08 Nov 01 A meeting with his excellency the president of the state of Israel, at the President’s residence. This morning the movement’s leaders met with the president of the state of Israel, Mr. Moshe Katsav, at his residence in Jerusalem. The President expressed his support for the movement Fence for Life in the presence of a multitude of media, support for a movement aspiring towards the erection of a security fence without tying it to any evacuation of settlements.

02 Nov 01 The movement “Fence for life” protested at Arlozorov Junction in Tel Aviv. 15 active members were present at the protest, wielding signs and distributing stickers proclaiming “A separation fence – the only way”. Fliers were handed out to drivers passing by.

02 Nov 01 The movement “Fence for life” protested at Carmel center in Haifa. 12 members used signs, stickers and fliers.

18 Oct 01 The movement “Fence for life” protested at Glilot Junction in Tel Aviv. 15 members used signs, stickers and fliers.

12 Oct 01 The movement “Fence for life” protested at North Raanana Junction. 15 members used signs, stickers and fliers.

10 Oct 01 The first convention of the Haifa branch of the movement Fence for Life. The central speaker was Mr. Amram Mizna, the mayor of Haifa. Also on the podium was attorney Ilan Tzion, the chairman of the movement. A hundred people were present.

28 Sept 01 The movement “Fence for life” protested at Glilot Junction in Tel Aviv. 15 active members were present at the protest, wielding signs and distributing stickers proclaiming “A separation fence – the only way”. Fliers were handed out to drivers passing by.

14 Sept 01 The movement “Fence for life” protested at North Raanana Junction. 10 members used signs, stickers and fliers.

31 Aug 01 Protest was made opposite the house of the prime minister Ariel Sharon. The movement made a presentation of the laying of the foundation stone of the erection of the security fence. A projection was prepared, titled “This is how the fence will be built”. As part of the presentation, a ceremony of laying the foundation stone for the fence. The members built a symbolic wooden fence in front of local and international media. Additionally, we expressed our resemblance to the generation of “tower and blockade”, those Zionist pioneers that realized they must swiftly adapt to changing climes of the times.

22 Aug 01 The movement “Fence for life” put together a huge convention hosting public figures. This was the second convention of the movement. It took place at the Eshkol Payis house at the Bnei Dror junction, under the sponsorship of the regional council Lev Hasharon. The guest speaker was the General (res.) Amram Mizna, the mayor of Haifa. Prof. Dan Shivtan and council head Mr. Arie Yeshua also spoke. 200 people were present at the televised event.

17 Aug 01 The movement “Fence for life” protested in Kefar Sava. The protest was carried out by 6 members at the entrance to the Arim Kanyon in Kefar sava.

10 Aug 01 A protest at the site of the terrorist attack, next to the Sbarro restaurant in Jerusalem, by the movement Fence for Life. The morning after the attack. 20 members attended. A great number of local and international media covered the protest and interviewed the active members.

03 Aug 01 The movement “Fence for life” protested at North Raanana Junction. 15 active members were present at the protest, wielding signs and distributing stickers. Fliers were handed out to drivers passing by.

20 Jul 01 The first protest of the Fence for Life movement, at the Arlozorov junction in Tel Aviv. 20 members attended, wielding signs and distributing stickers. Fliers were handed out to drivers passing by.

15 Jul 01 The Establishment convention of the movement Fence for Life at Hod Hasharon. Professor Dan Shivtan lectured about the necessity of separation. About 100 people were present.

26 Nov 02 Convention of the Terror Victims organizations in Park Hotel in Netanya. A support convention for the families victim to terror, organized by Alex Wolf. Some two hundred people were present. Attorney Ilan Tzion the chairman of Fence for Life spoke, inviting the interested terror victims to act towards support of the construction of the security fence, and as a result the group Terror Victims for the Fence was established, which asked to join the campaign of the fence. Scores of shirts with the caption “A security Fence at Once!” were handed out. Present at the convention from the Fence for Life movement: Attorney Ilan Tzion, attorney Adi Barouh and Dr Mark Luria.

14 Nov 02 Fence for Life makes protest opposite the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem. Signs were held this morning.

10 Nov 02 Fence for Life makes protest opposite the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem. Signs were held this morning.

5 Nov 02 The movement protested opposite the mall “Kanyon Arim” in Kefar Sava. The evening after the terrorist attack at the mall. 7 active members were present at the junction next to the mall. Signs were hauled and stickers & fliers were handed out to passing drivers.

25 Oct 02 A protest of the Movement opposite the residence of the defense minister Benjamin Ben Eliezer. On Friday morning signs were raised, which demanded immediate implementation of full erection of the fence, along all the 360 kilometers of the seam line and attacked the governments decision to put up only 120 km of fence. That would leave the major portion of the line completely open to free passage of Palestinian wrongdoers. The following signs were raised : The Fence for Life, the movement for the erection of a defensive fence; Defensive Fence –the only way; etc.

25 Oct 02 The movement launches a new campaign with new slogans. The first campaign’s purpose was successfully attained, to instill the idea of the absolute need for a continuous defensive fence between major Palestinian population centers and Israeli ones, without necessitating any withdrawals or evacuations of settlements. Further, the actual erection was started as a fruit of our efforts. Our new campaign is focused through new slogans to apply pressure on the Prime Minister, the minister of defense and the government to decide on full erection of the fence over all 360 km along the seam line. The government decided Aug 2002 only to erect 120 km. The chief slogan says: "A partial fence is futile – Fence for Life movement."

15 Aug 02 “We will continuously update you on the progress of the erection of the fence” – ministry of defense to the movement. Spokeswoman of the ministry pledged cooperation with the movement’s internet site and will keep it up to date concerning progress on work to erect the fence in various regions – in a conversation with movement’s chairman, advocate Ilan Tsion.

14 Aug 02 The movement submits to the high court of justice the comptroller’s report, which exposes grave faults in the defense of the seam line. A shorthand version of the report was handed of the special report by comptroller Eliezer Goldberg, severely criticizing the government and its ministers, for inaction of its own resolutions concerning the defense of the seam line. The movement claims this report proves the government ministers cannot be trusted to carry out government decisions to erect a defensive fence and that the court must obligate the relevant ministers to set a detailed schedule in order to complete the work ASAP.

01 Aug 02 Scouting the seam line, the movement’s leaders discovered no fence had been erected at all, except a 30 meter experimental one! The following incredible findings were: Not a single meter of functional fence existed! The only fence up was a 30m experimental one bare of any connections to a surveillance system and no signs were apparent at the site indicating any intention to continue the work! The concrete wall next to Kalkilya is not part of the project for the establishment of a fence but for purpose of preventing direct shooting from Kalkilya on drivers along Israel’s major highway, adjacent to the Palestinian town. These data demonstrate the depth of the travesty caused by the (i)responsible ministers – which costs many lives!

15 July 02 The movement intends to draw a bill prohibiting entry of Palestinians into Israel other than via security passages. The leaders of the movement met with the chairman of the law and constitution committee MK Michael Eitan, agreeing to jointly submit to the Knesset a correction to the existing law on entry into Israel. According to correction, any Palestinian wishing to enter Israel would perforce do so only though a special security point. Thus an end would come to the terrible present situation, under which legally, any Palestinian can cross the seam line wherever he wishes to, unhindered. The correction will considerably reduce terrorist harm and number of attacks even before completion of the fence.

17 Jun 02 The movement submits a petition to the high court of justice demanding a full fence along 360 km and an urgent schedule for its completion. The movement petitions against the Prime Minister, the minister of internal security and the minister of defense before the high court of justice. Amongst other issues, the movement sues for immediate erection of the fence along all 360-km without any delays or peacemeal. Furthermore, the subjects of the petition were to prevent through legislation entry of Palestinians into Israel other than through designated security checkpoints, opposed to the current situation of blithe free passage though fields and byways, which the security personnel are prohibited to block, as no offence is committed.

05 May 02 The movement sends hundreds of letters to public figures, asking for their assistance in working toward an erection of a security fence. Letters were sent to all members of the government and Knesset, mayors, regional councilors, and other public figures, asking for their support and action to establish a defensive fence between Palestinian and Israeli population centers.

19 Apr 02 The movement protested at North Raanana Junction. 20 active members were present at the protest, wielding signs and distributing stickers proclaiming “A separation fence – the only way”. Fliers were handed out to drivers passing by.

05 Apr 02 The movement protested at Glilot Junction in Tel-Aviv. 15 members participated, signs and fliers and stickers were used.

01 Feb 02 The movement “Fence for life” protested at Glilot Junction in Tel-Aviv. 10 members participated, signs and fliers and stickers were used.

31 December 2003 Movement members sent urgent letters to the minister of defense, to the chief military attorney and to the legal advisor to the government. Attempts have been done lately to destroy the fence, including by the group called anarchists against the fence. The letters requested that severe punishments be acted upon the lawbreakers that are sabotaging the fence and retain the full instructions of opening fire at the fence.

24 November 2003 Four law proposals were submitted that were formulated by the movement, which state the fence will be completed in a year. MK Gilad Ardan separately handed in the proposals, similar in form, from Likud, MK Ehud Razabi from Shinui, MK Mali Polyshok from Shinui and MK Matan Vilnai from Labor. These proposals were later withdrawn following pressure applied upon the submitters, leaving only Matan Vilnai’s proposal.

29 October 2003 MK Avshalom Vilan at the behest of the movement asked the minister of defense the following in view of the decision of October 1st: 1. What is the timetable for construction and completion of the fence from Beit Shean through Jerusalem until the Dead Sea 2 What are the costs involved in the construction The answers were: 1. The fence will go Gilboa – Elkana – Jerusalem _ Um Daragh and is expected to be finished by the end of 2005. 2. It will be 8-9 Billion NIS, not including passage points, costs of preserving the living conditions of the Palestinians and protecting the exposed settlements. The movement thanks MK Avshalom Vilan for submitting the query

1 October 2003 finally, after a fight of two and quarter years to erect a security fence, the government had the decency to decide to make a complete fence, to the exclusion of three gaps in it. No timetable was set. We will continue to push for an urgent timetable and follow the construction until it’s completion.

30 September 2003 Shortly before the government’s meeting, letters were sent by the movement to all the government’s ministers, demanding that the entire fence construction be authorized, not just he part between Elkana and Jerusalem. An urgent timetable must be set for the whole completion of the fence, no later than a year from today.

30 September 2003 Second report of the state comptroller Mr. Eliezer Goldberg is published. The major flaws enumerated in the former report remain uncorrected, stage C of the fence (Elkana to Jerusalem) and D (Jerusalem to Dead Sea) have not been brought up for approval, a time table has not been set for the construction and no money and budget have been allocated. The entire fence surrounding Jerusalem suffers in a similar way. The report highlights the great fiasco of the not building the fence until present, that has cost hundreds of lives and thousands of injured. The blame is laid at the feet of the Prime Minister and the ministers that have dealings related to the matter

23 September 2003 Representatives of the movement met with the committee of security and external affairs of the Knesset. Chairman Ilan Tsion explained the severity of the situation of no governmental approval for building the fence in the south, from Elkana to the Dead Sea. MK Ilan Shilgi from Shinui was also present. The committee agreed to act to bring about the decision.

5 September 2003 A scouting of the southern seam line by the movement and the heads of councils and mayors in the south to acquaint with the with the seam line from Tarkumiye until Arad. The guide was Danny Tirzah, manager of the fence-planning project in the ministry of defense. The scout was along dirt paths that followed the route of the seam line. During the ride scores of Palestinian cars were seen entering Israel unchallenged and unhindered. A meeting between the movement’s activists and the mayors and council heads took place at the end the ride at Beit-Gobrin. Spoke mayor of Arad – Bezalel Taviv, and heads of council Meitar – Solomon Cohen, Lahish – Eli Uzan, Yoav – Rani Treynin, Omer –Pini Badash, Leahvim – Eli Levi, and also general (res.) Uzi Dayan. They declare their support to embarking on a crusade to erect the security fence along the southern seam line.

17 August 2003 protest of the movement in front of the Prime Minister’s office. The issue was the lack of any progress in authorizing the south part of the fence (from Elkana, near Petah Tikva) except for Jerusalem. Thus the government knowingly leaves this region totally breachable for free passage of Palestinian suicide attackers. Signs such as “the fence halts at Sharon” were held. Ilan Shilgi from Shinui, general (res.) Uzi Dayan, mayors of Rosh Haayin - Yigal Yoseph, Modiin - Moshe Schechter, Shoham – Shahar Ben Ami spoke. So did head of the Fellowship for the Seam Line in Jerusalem - Uzi Nagar, Suzy Barzilai – representative of the Terror Victims for the Fence, and Fence for Life chairman Ilan Tsion. Activists from the movement and from the Farmers for the Fence and from Shoham also were there. Attorney Adi Barouh – vice chairman of the movement and chief of operations organized the protest.

13 July 2003 convention of new members and veteran active members in Herzlia. The expected activities were discussed, the central being a protest to be staged in front of the Prime Minister’s office.

10 July 2003 The movement meets the American ambassador Dan Kurzer at the embassy. The ambassador declared USA recognizes the right of Israel to defend itself. It was pointed out to the ambassador the importance of USA clarifying that is supports the construction of a security fence. The disagreements amount to no more than a concern pertaining to a small part north of Ariel. The different views of the two countries must not cause disruptions of delays in the construction. A letter was given to the ambassador addressed to the president of USA.

7 July 2003 A meeting of the Fellowship for the Seam Line in Jerusalem led by Uzi Nagar with the movement in Gilo. The fellowship assented to join with the movement’s activities.

7 July 2003 Meeting of Fence for Life with minister of the treasury Binyamin Netanyahu, at his chambers in the Knesset. The minister declared during the meeting that he recognizes the security/demography/economic significance of the security fence and is prepared to allocate for the construction of the entire fence all necessary funds. The movement’s representatives presented before him the data indicating the slowness of the construction and pointed out that the southern part from Elkana to the Dead Sea had not yet been approved by the government, except for a small part surrounding Jerusalem. This due to opposition by the Prime minister. The minister promised to do all within his power to get an approval for the entire fence as quickly as possible.

23 June 2003 Meeting of chairman of Fence for Life attorney Ilan Tsion and the Terror Victims for the Fence group with the President, Mr. Moshe Katsav, at the president’s residence. The president was asked to apply pressure upon the Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to build the entire fence. He was informed that had the fence been made beforehand their dearest would still be with them. The president expressed support for their request.

17 June 2003 First meeting of the parliamentary lobby for the security fence. The meeting took place in the Knesset; its goal is to unify and concentrate the struggle to erect the security fence within the parliament and the government. MKs that consented to act in parliamentary procedures towards the erection of the fence were from a whole variety of parties, including MKs Ilan Shilgi and Mali Polyshok Bloch from Shinui, Haim Ramon and Danny Yatom from the Labor, Avshalom Vilan from Meretz, and MKs from Shas. Other MKs from Likud claimed they would favorably consider joining the lobby. The activities will include submittal of new laws, queries, and calls to order speeches before the house and in the committees, letters etc. Ilan Shilgi informed at the meeting of his letter on 20 April to the minister of defense. It inquired what was being done to fulfill the commitment he made on the podium of the Knesset on 11 March to bring the southern part of the fence for the government’s authorization within the “next few weeks”. The minister of defense did not reply, therefore, Ilan Shilgi sent him a query last week, asking when the route of the south part will be discussed and when will the work begin. The response was that the route had already been approved by the Prime Minister and the minister of defense and would soon be presented to the whole government. According to MK Ilan Shilgi, at present there was no budget for the fence in the south, and minister of defense was not active enough in building the fence. Dr Mark Luria of the movement coordinated the meeting.

8 June 2003 Heads of councils in the centre staged a protest fence at the seam line next to their jurisdiction. The protest fence was put up near the village Rantiss, as a response to the government of Israel failing as yet to bring the issue of the route of the fence in this region to discussion. General (res.) Uzi Dayan was present. Shoham head of council Shahar Ben Ami ran the event and heads of council Danny Atar of Gilboa, Moshe Schechter of Modiin, Jonathan Rimon of Kohav Yair, Peter Weiss of Gezer, David Toviana of regional council Modiin and chairman and members of Fence for Life

29 May 2003 the founding convention of the forum of heads of councils, south, for the fence. Representatives of the movement were also attendant at the industrial park of Omer, lead by head of Omer’s council, Pini Badash. The purpose was to demand from the Prime Minister and the minister of defense that the fence would immediately and in parallel with other parts be built in the south, to be finished within a year. Organizers of the meeting: Pini Badash, Nisim Nir of the council Omer and Ahuva Fulman from the movement.

28 May 2003 MK Avshalom Vilan today asked whether any decisions had been carried out about the route of the fence and what has been implemented from these? Why hasn’t a fence been put up to the south of Kalkilye and the fence in the north remains unfinished? How does the delay in building the fence go with defending citizens? The minister f defense replied that the works in portion A, between Elkana and Salem and South to East Jerusalem, are supposed to be competed by the end of July 2003. The portion of Salem to Gilboa to Jordan Valley is 82 km long and should end by December 2003. The part from Elkana to Jerusalem and surrounding Jerusalem should be finished in 2004. The portion from Jerusalem to Arad, including surrounding Mt. Hebron, will tentatively be completed in 2005-2006.

20 Apr 2003 MK Ilan Shilgi, following Fence for Life’s request, asked minister of defense in a letter: Has anything has been done to progress his commitment to bring the south part of the fence for approval by the government. He said on 11 Mar 03 he would do within “a few weeks”; MK Shilgi emphasized that any delay in the erection of the security fence is accompanied by costs in human lives. The movement thanks MK Shilgi for his letter and other efforts within his support for the struggle for the security fence.

25 Mar 2003 the Prime Minister’s office, in a letter to movement member Shimon Ben Ezra, declares that the portion of the fence beyond that being built between Kfar Kasm and Beit Shean has not been decided upon yet. 10 Mar 2003 Two new public entities were established as an intense day of meetings held by the movement drew to a close; 1. Following the meeting with MK (member of parliament, Knesset) Haim Ramon a lobby of MKs for the security fence was created, agreed to be led by MK Ilan Shilgi from Shinui as rep of the coalition and Haim Ramon representing the opposition. The movement was successful in obtaining the pledge that the lobby would not call for unilateral separation or evacuation of settlements and neither would it interfere with the layout of the fence’s route. In addition, in a meeting with MK Avshalom Vilan, the MK agreed to help Fence for Life, including presentation of parliamentary questions. 2. A meeting took place at Shoham between the t council and the movement’s leaders and all the council heads in the area between Elkana and Jerusalem, also Danny Attar, the head of the Gilboa council in the north attended. The forum of Central Israel Council Heads for the Fence was established, led by Shoham council head Shahar Ben Ami. It is inclusive of all the council heads, namely, of Shoham, modiin, Maccabim – Reut, Judea regional, Kohav Yair, Elad, Modiin Ilit, all councils for which no fence had been promised in their vicinity. The movement calls for the council to carry out strikes of the schools and the kintergardens until the erection of a fence in their council’s surroundings is approved. The forum supported working in future together with the movement in order to achieve the common cause. 10 Mar 2003. The movement decided to initiate a public council for the fence that will focus the struggle for the fence on the national level as the movement did on its part until now. But now it would also include the heads of the councils of north, centre and south, the Terror Victims for the Fence and public figures. The movement proposed to Uzi Dayan, former head of the Council of National Security, to be the chairman, under the sole limitations that he would demand a fence with no relation to the evacuation of settlements or withdrawal or drawing the line of the fence’s route. Uzi Dayan gave his consent in principle. 4. The movement also considers making a separate forum for the council heads of the south, where no route at all has been approved 3 Mar 2003 The president of the high court of justice, Aaron Barak: the court will not order a complete fence. The hearing at the court today of Fence for life replied to the movement’s attorneys that the court would not impose upon the Prime Minister to build the fence any more than he had already committed himself to do. The fence would be completed but only the part from Elkana to Beit Shean would be finished by a deadline (the end of 2003). The court claimed to have no jurisdiction to decide about the fence, and suggested to the appealers to continue their efforts. Indeed the movement plans to redouble efforts to get the government to decide to build the fence from Elkana through to Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. 1 Mar 2003 A supervisory scout along the seam line uncovered alarming facts: 1. Only 6km. of fence are functional : from Salem until the entrance to Um-el-Fahm ! 2. The regions of Kalkilya, Tul-karm and Ta’anach are bare of any barrier or signs of construction work. 3. The wall opposite Kalkilya is meant to prevent sniping on passing cars driving on the main intersecting highway of Israel. No additions have been done to the existing part, erected August 2002,and the ends of the standing part remain totally negotiable; many houses in Kalkilya have no barrier opposite them. 4. At the present rate, 400km. of fence will be completed in thirty years. These facts show that the government’s ministers with a bearing on the issue of the fence remain crassly negligent – with a dreadful cost of many casualties 23 Feb 2003 Gen. (res.) Uzi Dayan, until recently the head of the Council for National Security and formerly deputy of Chief of Staff, submitted a declaration to the high court supporting Fence for Life’s petition, in which is said: The entire security fence of 400km length can be completed within 12 months. The fence must be simultaneously built at numerous points along the route planned by the government and not is sequential stages to prevent the present unacceptable rate. The security forces cannot provide sufficient or adequate protection to the citizens of Israel without a full fence along the entire route. 11 Feb 03 The government refuses to make any commitment to a date to complete the security fence until Dead Sea, in return for withdrawal of Fence for Life’s petition. Thus, it was plainly clear that the Prime Minister did not intend to give the fence top priority, which is also apparent from only 6 km. built until now. 14 Jan 03 Fence for Life proposes to the Prime Minister to commit himself to an urgent deadline for completion of the fence in return for withdrawal of the appeal. Thus the movement wished to test the seriousness of his intentions. The movement did this by making the proposal channeled through the State Attorney; the State would specify by which date it would finish the work and would express the urgency of the erection. The Prime Minister would refuse the proposal, thus exposing his unwillingness at that point to complete the fence. 10 Jan 03 Fence for Life movement stages protest opposite the house of the Prime Minister. 10 activists raised signs calling for the immediate construction of a continuous fence, in view of the slowness in which progress was made. The Prime minister was blamed for not directing the building and thus knowingly neglecting his responsibility to protect the civilians of the state for Palestinian suicide bombers. 2 Jan 03 For the first time, the state commits itself at the high court of justice to erect a continuous security fence along the whole seam line, from Bet Shean until the Dead Sea. The state submitted to the court a notice as a response to the appeal of the movement Fence for Life, on behalf of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz and minister of internal security Uzi Landau. The state puts in writing for the first time a commitment to a full and continuous fence. In addition, the state promised to complete 147 km of the fence from Salem to Elan and 21 km surrounding Jerusalem within six months, until July 2003. 45 km. From Salem to Bet Sheen were to be completed by December 2003. As to the 200 km. To the south, from Elkana to Jerusalem and from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea, the state claimed the military had already started in planning the route, which would be presented before a committee of ministers for security affairs within the near future. The state also said it was considering the movement’s request to deny any passage across the seam line except by regulated passages. The movement favourably views the statement of the government about the planned fence but will continue to follow the progress of the building of the complete fence and meeting the deadlines.

26.11.2004 In a hearing at the Israel Bar Association, Fence for Life announces its opposition to the acceptance of the Geneva Convention as Israeli Law if it would injure Israel’s security or lead to a demand to dismantle sections of the Security Fence

5.11.2004 A tour along the Security Fence near Har Adar and Jerusalem allows us to observe gaps in the Fence, which would allow suicide bombers to pass through freely. These are the results of a High Court ruling that delayed construction of the Fence

30.8.2004 Fence for Life testifies at the Police Station about what happened during the Anarchists Against the Fence evening meeting

8.8.2004 The Police informs Fence for Life that thanks to information given regarding Anarchists Against the Fence, the Attorney General instructed them to initiated an investigation against the speaker, suspected of incitement against MKs and IDF soldiers

15.7.2004 Tour along the Security Fence in the Jerusalem area

9.7.2004 Publication of the decision by the International Court of Justice in The Hague, calling for Israel to dismantle sections of the Security Fence east of the Green Line. Fence for Life’s stand was also published in the media, calling for disregard of the Hague Court decision, since it is not legally binding, and calling for continued construction of the Fence with all due speed.

30.6.2004 Fence for Life, through MK Gilad Ardan, presents a draft law to the Knesset calling for revocation of the restraining orders and the decisions made by the Israeli Supreme Court against the construction of the Fence. This is followed by media coverage of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s position that he will not support a law that circumvents the Supreme Court. The Fence for Life Movement thanks MK Gilad Ardan for presenting the draft law to the Knesset.

30.6.2004 After postponing construction of the Fence for four months, the Supreme Court, with Justice Aharon Barak presiding, decides to disqualify the 40 km. of fence between Elkana and Jerusalem. The Fence for Life position, as reported in the media, was critical of the Supreme Court's decision, which prefers the Palestinians’ access to their olive trees over the lives and security of Israeli citizens. Fence for Life criticizes the Supreme Court for involving itself in political decisions that should never enter a courtroom.

17.6.2004 Channel 2 News screens a segment filmed by members of Fence for Life at the meeting of the Anarchists Against the Fence on 2.2.2004, documenting the speaker declaring to an applauding audience that “The best thing about the Wall is that we can line up the Labor and Likud MKs up against it along with the bastards who man the checkposts, and shoot them one by one.”

24.5.2004 Lobbying for the Fence at the Knesset, the heads of Fence for Life sound the alarm regarding the Supreme Court’s actions in delaying construction of the fence indefinitely. Meeting with numerous ministers and dozens of MKs, they request their assistance in working through legal channels and the media to force the Supreme Court to act quickly.

23.2.2004 The hearing on the Security Fence is held at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Fence for Life makes its position heard on the Israeli media, but do not hold demonstrations abroad, at the request of the Foreign Office, who want to focus on demonstrations by the victims of terror outside the International High Court of Justice.

February 2004 Fence for Life initiates and formulates a draft law, presented to the Knesset by MK Gilad Ardan, amending the penalty for anyone found guilty of damaging the Security Fence or crossing it illegally. Thank you, MK Gilad Ardan, for presenting the draft law.

9.2.2004 The High Court of Justice hears the appeal by Hamoked, the Center for the Defence of the Individual. Fence for Life, through Adv. Gilad Rogel, one of the finest Supreme Court attorneys in Israel, claims that the High Court has no authority to intervene in the route of the Fence. The heads of the movement are interviewed outside the courtroom by journalists from major foreign media networks.

29.1.2004 Heads of Fence for Life meet at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs with Israel’s defense team slated to go before the International Court of Justice at The Hague. They are Adv. Alan Baker, the Ministry’s Legal Counsel and Adv. Arthur Lenk, First Secretary of the Ministry’s office of legal counsel. The heads of Fence for Life state their views, that Israel should deny that the International Court of Justice has any authority in this matter, and that Israel should not participate in the hearing. They reiterate the important security aspects of the Fence. Fence for Life activities are deeply impressed with the seriousness and the quality of the work done by Adv. Baker and Lenk as well as the entire team at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in preparation for defending Israel at The Hague.

29.1.2004 Fence for Life presents a petition to be a Respondent jointly with the State Attorney’s Office representing the Government of Israel vs. Hamoked, the Center for Defence of the Individual, who appealed against the construction of the Fence. Fence for Life claims that any intervention in the route is likely to delay its construction for many months, and even prevent it from being built. This is a life-saving barrier, and any delay may cause loss of life. Fence for Life states that the Fence route is a security matter with political repercussions, outside the jurisdiction of the High Court, but only for the government to decide.

29.1.2004 A meeting is held between the heads of Fence for Life and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade, Industry and Infrastructures Ehud Olmert. Fence for Life heads ask Olmert to get the government to move quickly to put up a concertina wire fence as quickly as possible up to the Dead Sea to provide at least minimal protection against uncontrolled entry by Palestinians into Israel until the permanent Fence is constructed, which is slated for completion only by late 2005. The barbed wire fence could be erected in an extremely short time, and could be incorporated into the permanent fence in the future. Minister Olmert expresses his support of the Security Fence and promises to investigate the matter and give an answer as soon as possible. Olmert was also asked to demand from Prime Minister Ariel Sharon that the Fence be built as soon as possible.

23.1.2004 Having accomplished its main objective – to have the Israeli government decide to built a Security Fence, the decision of 1.10.03, the Fence for Life movement ceases its work with Uzi Dayan and as the Public Committee for the Construction of a Security Fence for Israel, initiated by Fence for Life half a year ago. Fence for Life decides to continue activities, focusing on defense of the decision to construct the entire fence through the media, in the courts and legislation, against Palestinian and Leftist opponents of the Fence. Fence for Life will continue to monitor the government’s implementation of its decision to construct the Fence.

12.1.2004 The Movement sent a letter through Deputy Chairman of Fence for Life Adv. Adi Barouh from all Heads of Councils and of Municipalities in the South addressed to Minister of Defense Shaul Mofaz, requesting him not to wait for completion of the northern section of the Fence, but to construct the Fence in the south at the same time, so that the entire construction would not last more than a year. The letter is in response to the Ministry of Defense announcement that during 2004, a security fence would not be constructed on the route from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea. Signatories are Beersheva Mayor Yakov Terner; Kiryat Gat Mayor Aviram Dahari; Mayor of Arad Motti Brill; and Head of Meitar Local Council Salomon Cohen (responsible for having Heads of Councils sign the letter), Head of Omer Council Pini Badash; and of Lachich Council Eli Ouzon; Asher Abergil of Shafir; Moshe Pawel of Bnei Shimon; Eli Levi of Lehavim; and Ronnie Treinin of Yoav. The Fence for Life Movement thanks Salomon Cohen, Head of Meitar Local Council, who took upon himself to get signatures from all, and thanks to all who signed.

4.1.2004 A meeting between heads of Fence for Life with Mr. Netzah Mashiah, Head of the Seam Administrative Division of the Ministry of Defense, who announces that in light of the government decision of 1.10.03, the projected date for completion of construction along the entire planned route from the Jordanian border in the north to Beit Shean in the south through Salem to southern Jerusalem. Throughout 2005, works will be accomplished to build the Fence from southern Jerusalem to the Dead Sea, expected completion by the end of 2005 except for 3 openings: one in the Ariel area; the second in the Maale Adumim area; and the third near the Dead Sea. Upon completion, about 15,000 Palestinians will remain within the Israeli protective zone, in addition to the Arabs in east Jerusalem. The Fence will leave approximately 6% of the area of Judea and Samaria within the protected area. It subsequently transpires that there are serious delays by the High Court of Justice, presided over by Justice Aharon Barak…

15.9.2005 The Supreme Court hands down its decision on the International Court of Justice declaring that The Hague’s advisory opinion that the Security Fence is illegal is not binding, and that the Fence may be built beyond the Green Line. The Supreme Court also ruled that the segment of the Fence already built near Alfei Menashe should be dismantled.

29.5.2005 In a Supreme Court hearing with a panel of 9 judges, the Court confirms that Fence for Life can be a Respondent in the Appeal along with the State. Adv. Ilan Tsion, Chairman of Fence for Life, pleads that Israel may build the Fence beyond the Green Line, and that The Hague’s opinion does not bind Israel. He states that the Israel High Court restraining orders are endangering the lives of Israeli citizens.

29.3.2005 In a meeting of the MKs Lobby for the Fence in the Knesset headed by Labor’s Dani Yatom and Shinui’s Ilan Shalgi, Fence for Life representatives warn against possible consequences of delays caused by the Supreme Court decisions, and proposed that should the High Court take a more stringent stand, the draft law preventing the Supreme Court from further delaying measures would be proposed again.

28.3.2005 Chief Justice Aharon Barak rules to allow Fence for Life to testify in the hearing scheduled for 29.5.05.

28.3.2005 Fence for Life, with the assistance of Adv. Ilan Tsion, petitions the Supreme Court to join the State of Israel as a Respondent against Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) and others, to act as Respondent in the appeal before the Supreme Court, in which Chief Justice Aharon Barak was to instruct the State to defend its position regarding the advisory ruling of the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

20.2.2005 A decision is made by the government pertaining to the revised route of the Fence, necessary due to interference and delays in construction due to the Supreme Court decisions, with Chief Justice Aharon Barak presiding, and due to the government’s reluctance to prevent such interference through legislation.