Israel’s High Court Rejects Appeal to Change Path of Wall in Walaja

JERUSALEM, August 23, 2011 (WAFA) – The Israeli High Court Tuesday rejected an appeal by residents of the Bethlehem area village of Walaja to change the path of the wall Israel is building on their land.

The wall is built on village land and causes grave harm to the village, said the residents.

Israel is building the wall inside the West Bank to separate it from occupied Jerusalem and settlements built near the villages.

The International Court of Justice in The Hague had issued an advisory opinion on the wall in July 2004 saying the construction was contrary to international law and calling on Israel to dismantle it and to compensate Palestinians who were harmed by its construction.

The Israeli High Court rejected the residents claim that the wall harms them, arguing that the damage to the village residents is not significant in comparison to Israel's security needs.

The court also cancelled an injunction issued when the appeal was filed, which means the Israeli authorities can resume constructions of the controversial wall.



WAFA