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 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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