Israel OK's new section of West Bank barrier
Monday, August 22, 2011
JERUSALEM (AP) -- The Israeli Supreme Court has rejected requests by Palestinian villagers to reroute a section of Israel's West Bank separation barrier straddling the Jerusalem municipal border.
Residents of the Walajeh village say the section, which is under construction, would cut them off from their farmlands, cemetery and a water source.
Israel says the barrier, which at multiple points dips inside the West Bank, is crucial to keep out Palestinian attackers. Palestinians accuse Israel of using the fence to grab West Bank land.
Although the court dismissed the request to completely reroute the barrier section, it agreed to adjust its path to let Walajeh villagers reach the spring and cemetery, and promised access points for farmers to work their lands.
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