Although the situation in the Middle East is mercifully slightly more stable today than it was last week, relations between Israel and the Palestinians are still a long way from what one might call cordial.

It must be something of a worry to Intel, then, to be reminded that Fab 18 at Qiryat Gat is built on the site of the Palestinian village of Al Faluja. Al Faluja (http://www.palestineremembered.com/Gaza/al-Faluja/) was destroyed in 1949 during the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

Fab 18 is tasked with producing practically all the world's Pentium 4s and it would be something of a challenge, to use a good old Intel phrase, should the plant be involved in any local unpleasantness or were it to become a pawn in a territorial dispute.

Intel refused to comment on contingency plans for shifting production from Qiryat Gat should the worst happen, beyond stating:

"The safety of our employees is paramount. We continue to monitor developments in the region." ®

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