In reply to Simon Cardy:
> (In reply to Simon Cardy)
>
> Let’s get back to the climbing and the role climbers are being asked to play at Ein Fara/Wadi Kelt.
>
> Climbers of conscience in international climbing community should seek answers to the following questions:
>
> 1. What is the relationship between the settlement at Anatot and the nature reserve – are they different sides to the same coin of occupation?
They are different places. And people live in one, not the other. Agree there is controversy over settlements and you can argue about this. But this settlement is outside the park where the crag is, so what is problem here?
> 2. Are any of the access roads off limits to Palestinians and if not what restrictions if any are in place?
No
> 3. What role does this nature reserve play in promoting tourism to Israel and beautifying the military occupation?
Have you ever seen Ein Fara in an Israeli tourist ad? Suspect not, since an ad to visit Israel a few years ago showing the Western Wall had to be withdrawn on grounds it was over the Green Line
> 4. Is the nature reserve and the climbing primarily set up as a recreational resource for settlers and Israeli citizens?
No. Equal access. It's a favourite picnic area for Palestinians.
> 5. Is access to the nature reserve and the cliff at Ein Fara dependent on the settlement at Anatot?
Not in the slightest. Access to park is off road before entering the town.
> 6. How are the local Palestinian population affected by the settlement and the nature reserve?
There are none. The park's too barren for agriculture, and has been public land for a least a century.
> 7. In what way if any does the nature reserve play in controlling the water supply, where does that water go and who controls it?
Water goes down to Jericho, which is PA Area A and they are very interested in it being kept clean: which the Parks Authority is doing well.
> 8. If we climb at Ein Fara are we being complicit with the occupation?
Actually, it's closed for climbing: some of the cliff fell down in the winter!
> 9. Should the international climbing community boycott Ein Fara until the nature reserve is under control of the Palestinian authorities?
Since it's in Area C, there is no legal or moral problem here.
> 10. Are there any other climbing sites in the West Bank affected by the same issues?
Well if they are in Areas B or A, Israelis are not allowed in by Israeli law, and I don't know any, climbing not being a big Palestinian sport. And, as I pointed out, parks in Area C are currently agreed by both Israel and Palestine to be administered by Israel So this whole post is all a bit of wank anyway.