Isewal

Isewal is a portmanteau of "Israeli" and "Wall," commonly used in political discourse to refer to the Israeli West Bank barrier. The term is often used by those critical of the barrier, implying a comparison to other historically contentious walls and suggesting that the barrier serves to separate or oppress the Palestinian population.

The Israeli West Bank barrier is a separation barrier built by Israel in the West Bank, beginning in 2002. The stated purpose of the barrier, according to the Israeli government, is to protect Israeli civilians from Palestinian terrorism, including suicide bombings and other attacks originating from the West Bank.

Critics of the barrier argue that it encroaches on Palestinian land, restricts freedom of movement for Palestinians, and undermines the prospects for a two-state solution. They often point out that the barrier does not follow the Green Line (the armistice line established after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War) but instead extends into the West Bank, incorporating settlements and agricultural land. This encroachment, critics argue, effectively amounts to a land grab.

The use of the term "Isewal" reflects a particular perspective on the conflict, emphasizing the perceived negative consequences of the barrier on Palestinians and framing it as a form of segregation or oppression. The term is generally not used by supporters of the barrier, who typically refer to it by names such as "security fence" or "anti-terrorist fence." The term "Isewal" is frequently encountered in political activism, online discussions, and media outlets that are critical of Israeli policies regarding the West Bank.