State agrees to temporarily halt work on section of fence

[Gimel]

The High Court of Justice on Wednesday ordered to state to respond to claims that the current route of West Bank separation fence does not meet Israel's security needs and simply causes harm to the Palestinian villagers.

These claims were presented to the court in an affidavit from the Council for Peace and Security. The document claims that that building the fence between the Palestinian village of Beit Surik and the Israeli town of Mevasseret Zion near Jerusalem would improve security in the area and offers no added defense utility. The organization said that by building the fence so close to residents' homes, the Israel Defense Forces was "trying to take over the hills," going against the Defense Ministry's own principles.

During the hearing the state agreed to halt construction work on the separation fence near the Palestinians villages of Dir Kadis and Midya, near Modi'in, for one week to allow for negotiations with the residents over the route of the fence.

The state also agreed to stop building the fence near the village of Na'alin to allow residents to present their grievances with the current route. The state promised it would take these comments into account and "rethink" the route.

http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/405748.html">Read more..Haaretz

[meti57b]

1. This shows once again that Israel is a democratic state, ...

with checks and balances on the government.

[Gimel]

2. Determining the route

The route of the fence can be adjusted to accommodate residents where that is feasible.