This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/02/israels-top-court-blocks-extension-of-separation-wall-through-cremisan-valley

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Israel's top court blocks extension of separation wall through Cremisan valley Israel's top court blocks extension of separation wall through Cremisan valley
(about 1 hour later)
Israel’s top court has blocked the controversial planned extension of Israel’s separation wall through the historic Cremisan valley - home to two Salesian monasteries and a convent school - bringing to an end a high profile nine-year campaign. Israel’s top court has blocked the controversial planned extension of Israel’s separation wall through the historic Cremisan valley – home to two Salesian monasteries and a convent school – ending a high-profile nine-year campaign.
Palestinians appealed to two popes to intervene to save the valley, in an issue that became a source of friction between Israel and the Vatican. The mayor of Bethlehem, Vera Baboun, most recently made a direct appeal to Pope Francis during an audience with him in February. Palestinians appealed to two popes to intervene to save the valley, in an issue that became a source of friction between Israel and the Vatican. The mayor of Bethlehem, Vera Baboun, most recently appealed directly to Pope Francis at a meeting with him in February.
A delegation of 16 bishops also visited Cremisan earlier this year. Representing the episcopal conferences of Europe and North America, they reiterated their commitment to oppose the construction of the wall. A delegation of representatives of EU member states also visited the site to protest against the planned construction. A delegation of 16 bishops also visited Cremisan earlier this year. Representing the episcopal conferences of Europe and North America, they reiterated their commitment to oppose the construction of the barrier. A delegation of representatives of EU member states also visited the site to protest against the planned construction.
The campaign against the route of the barrier at Cremisan was taken up by William Hague when he was UK foreign secretary, and the archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols.The campaign against the route of the barrier at Cremisan was taken up by William Hague when he was UK foreign secretary, and the archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols.
The Israeli court also rejected an alternative proposal from Israel’s defence ministry that would have allowed for a door in the wall connecting the two sites, instructing the army to come up with an alternative proposal.The Israeli court also rejected an alternative proposal from Israel’s defence ministry that would have allowed for a door in the wall connecting the two sites, instructing the army to come up with an alternative proposal.
Israel has said that the wall is necessary for security, but local residents have long charged that the its real purpose was to allow the connection of the West Bank settlement of Har Gilo to the Jerusalem neighbourhood of Gilo. Israel says that the wall is necessary for security, but local residents have long charged thatits real purpose was to allow the connection of the illegal West Bank settlement of Har Gilo to the Jerusalem neighbourhood of Gilo.
The planned route would have effectively cut off a large amount of privately-owned Palestinian land from around 50 mainly Christian families and Vatican land owned by the two Salesian monasteries. The planned route would in effect have cut off a large amount of privately owned Palestinian land from about 50 mainly Christian families and Vatican land owned by the two Salesian monasteries.
Also under threat had been the continued viability of the Salesian Sisters’ convent school, which educates several hundred children from the surrounding villages.Also under threat had been the continued viability of the Salesian Sisters’ convent school, which educates several hundred children from the surrounding villages.
Under Israel’s original plan, the school would have been on the Israeli side of the barrier while almost all of the pupils would have been on the Palestinian side, meaning they would have to cross an Israeli military checkpoint to get to class.Under Israel’s original plan, the school would have been on the Israeli side of the barrier while almost all of the pupils would have been on the Palestinian side, meaning they would have to cross an Israeli military checkpoint to get to class.
In making its ruling, the court ordered that the military must find a route less harmful to Palestinians living in the Cremisan valley.In making its ruling, the court ordered that the military must find a route less harmful to Palestinians living in the Cremisan valley.
The court’s ruling is the second victory for Palestinians over the routing of the wall through the area in recent months.The court’s ruling is the second victory for Palestinians over the routing of the wall through the area in recent months.
In a another recent court case judges froze the planned construction of the wall near the village of Battir a few miles from Cremisan - through a Unesco world heritage site. In another recent court case judges froze the planned construction of the wall near the village of Battir a few miles from Cremisan – through a Unesco world heritage site.