Traffic Is Two-Directional

Our neighbors have a new orientation (no pun intended):

Palestinians: Jerusalem light train will tear down the West Bank Wall

New voices are heard from Palestinian quarters regarding the Jerusalem Light Rail project (JLRP). In recent months, Arab entrepreneurs have quietly suggested extending the JLRP to the West Bank city of Ramallah. The logic behind this stand is that transportation projects all over the world become cross-border. These Arab businesspersons believe will happen also in the Palestinian territory. They think that this transportation project will eventually break the Palestinians' isolation or as they say "tear down the West Bank Wall."

...Despite some criticism, the construction of the JLRP has already brought boom to the Arab population along its route. For instance, according to local sources in Shoafat and Beit Hanina, the demand for commercial spaces along the expected route of the rail has been growing rapidly. The rent prices of these spaces have increased some ten folds in recent years and owners are already eager to see the JLRP operational.

Many in the West Bank say, in closed meetings, that the Ramallah extension is a good opportunity to test the new Israeli government' seriousness in upgrading the standard of living of the local population. The newly elected Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu has called for "economic peace" with the Palestinians, which will aim to improve the Palestinians' rickety economy ahead of future peace talks...Thus, according to Palestinian officials, the Ramallah project can emerge as a first "real" joint venture with the Israelis. In the past, all the Israeli proposals for economic cooperation were based on the Jewish state's bid to keep its hegemony and to control Arab resources...

...Eng. Taweel believes in the economic benefits of the project for the Arab population in Jerusalem. "The JLRP construction project can employ many Palestinian workers from the Eastern part of the city, and thus, economically supports many local Palestinian families," he noted...

Of course, if the security problem can be controlled, a population that is pacific is only a boon to peace. And an economically-advantaged society also helps.

And remember guys, traffic is always two-directional.