Story: Israel's Berlin Wall?, 9/22/03
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/july-dec03/wall_9-22.html

Reading Comprehension Questions:

1. Why is the United States threatening to withhold aid to Israel?
   
   
   
   
2. Why is Israel building a security fence?
   
   
   
   
3. What are some of the characteristics of the fence?
   
   
   
   
4. Why are the Palestinians opposed to the security fence?
   
   
   
   
5. How could building a fence backfire on Israel?

Discussion Activity (more research might be needed):

1. Research walls that have historically been built to divide communities. Examples include the Great Wall in China and the Berlin Wall. What are the similarities and differences between these and Israel's wall?

2. Examine the possibility of Israelis and Palestinians sharing one state and Palestinians being given the right to vote in Israel. What are the pros and cons for Palestinians and for Israelis?

Write a 300-500 word essay on either of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra (extra@newshour.org). Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site.