Ugly, militaristic bent

The US Embassy in Jerusalem claims its embassies worldwide are built with security infrastructure similar to the wall now being built around the Jerusalem Embassy.

I visited the US Embassy in Canberra, seeing how “similar” its security infrastructure is to the 5.8metre wall proposed for Jerusalem’s embassy. The “wall” here is a white-painted fence, with security cameras and guards at many locations.

I stood next to the embassy wall (I’m about 1.60 m. tall); I held a measuring stick above my head (1 m. for the stick plus at most 0.5 m. for my up-stretched arms); and I estimated the difference between the top of the measuring stick and the top of the wall at no more than 15cm).

That’s no more than 3.5-metres of fence-height close to the originally approved 3.2-metre high wall in Jerusalem, far lower than the planned 5.8-metre wall.

The near-six-metre wall is needed for “security,” per the embassy. No such wall exists around the former Embassy in Tel Aviv.

Whose brilliant idea decided to place the embassy in a location where a military-style barrier is needed for “security”? Lest we forget, the embassy sprawls into “no mans land,” “disputed land,” “occupied territory,” depending on one’s view.

And we all know Trump’s penchant for building walls.

Congratulations to America for again showing its ugliness, militaristic bent, and hubris; a shame on all Americans! JUDY BAMBERGER O’Connor, ACT, Australia