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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| West Bank barrier change ordered | West Bank barrier change ordered |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Israel's supreme court has ordered the government to redraw the route of the West Bank barrier near Bilin village, a key focus of anti-barrier protest. | Israel's supreme court has ordered the government to redraw the route of the West Bank barrier near Bilin village, a key focus of anti-barrier protest. |
| The court accepted an appeal by Bilin residents, who had argued that the barrier prevented them from reaching 50% of their agricultural land. | The court accepted an appeal by Bilin residents, who had argued that the barrier prevented them from reaching 50% of their agricultural land. |
| Weekly protests against the barrier have been held there for two years. | Weekly protests against the barrier have been held there for two years. |
| The Israeli government says the barrier is a security measure but Palestinians view it as an illegal land grab. | The Israeli government says the barrier is a security measure but Palestinians view it as an illegal land grab. |
| The International Court of Justice issued an advisory ruling in 2004 that the barrier breached international law where it is built on occupied territory and should be dismantled. | The International Court of Justice issued an advisory ruling in 2004 that the barrier breached international law where it is built on occupied territory and should be dismantled. |
| Correspondents say the latest ruling is an embarrassing blow to the Israeli government at a place which has come to symbolise opposition to the barrier. | Correspondents say the latest ruling is an embarrassing blow to the Israeli government at a place which has come to symbolise opposition to the barrier. |
| "We were not convinced that it is necessary for security-military reasons to retain the current route that passes on Bilin's lands," the chief justice, Dorit Beinish, wrote. | "We were not convinced that it is necessary for security-military reasons to retain the current route that passes on Bilin's lands," the chief justice, Dorit Beinish, wrote. |
| 'Highly prejudicial' | 'Highly prejudicial' |
| The ruling will prevent a planned expansion of a contentious new settlement project Matityahu East. | The ruling will prevent a planned expansion of a contentious new settlement project Matityahu East. |
| Guide: West Bank barrier | Guide: West Bank barrier |
| The court ruled that the route around Bilin was "highly prejudicial" to the villagers and demanded an alternative route be mapped out "within a reasonable period". | The court ruled that the route around Bilin was "highly prejudicial" to the villagers and demanded an alternative route be mapped out "within a reasonable period". |
| The Bilin protest revolves around 200 hectares (500 acres) of village farmland which the villagers say they have been prevented from using because of the barrier. | The Bilin protest revolves around 200 hectares (500 acres) of village farmland which the villagers say they have been prevented from using because of the barrier. |
| Thousands of the village's olive trees have been uprooted as a result of its construction. | Thousands of the village's olive trees have been uprooted as a result of its construction. |
| One of the Bilin protest organisers, Abdullah Abu Rahma, described the court decision as "wonderful" and called for it to be implemented immediately. | One of the Bilin protest organisers, Abdullah Abu Rahma, described the court decision as "wonderful" and called for it to be implemented immediately. |
| Mustafa Barghouti, an independent member of the Palestinian parliament, told the BBC the ruling was a partial victory. | |
| "It forces the Israelis to move the wall away from Bilin village but it allows for the settlement, which is on Bilin land, to remain," he said. | |
| The Israeli defence ministry, which is responsible for building the barrier, said in a statement it would "study the ruling and respect it". | |
| All Israeli settlements in the West Bank, land captured by Israel in the 1967 war, are deemed illegal under international law, but Israel disputes this. | All Israeli settlements in the West Bank, land captured by Israel in the 1967 war, are deemed illegal under international law, but Israel disputes this. |