Israeli court halts construction on section of West Bank barrier

[dipsydoodle]

Source: France 24

The High Court ordered Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon Thursday to halt work on the construction of the West Bank security barrier near the Palestinian village of Batir.

The petition against the fence was submitted by Batir residents and Friends of the Earth Middle East. They are arguing that a barrier would irreparably damage the agricultural terraces in the region, which seem to be thousands of years old and which may be declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) when that body meets next month.

In an unusual step, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority was given permission to join the petition and also opposed the state's plans.

On Wednesday, the INPA submitted an alternative proposal, whereby a simple chain-link fence, backed by security systems, would be erected instead of the concrete wall the ministry wants to build.

In their ruling, the panel of three justices ordered the Defense Ministry to examine the alternative proposal and to report back with its findings by July 2.

Read more: http://www.france24.com/en/20130503-haaretz-israel-court-halts-construction-west-bank-barrier?ns_campaign=editorial&ns_source=FB&ns_mchannel=reseaux_sociaux&ns_fee=0&ns_linkname=20130503_haaretz_israel_court_halts_construction_west

[Ash_F]

1. It's important to note that there is opposition to Israel's right-wing extremists.

"In an unusual step, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority was given permission to join the petition and also opposed the state's plans."

There are people working to reform the government and bring it closer to the center. These Israelis need the support and encouragement of Democrats and moderate Americans.

[another_liberal]

2. Bebe ain't gonna like this.

Netanyahu's government will brush this legal stuff aside in no time. If they want to build a big ugly wall across the Palestinians' heritage, then they will build a big ugly wall across the Palestinians' heritage, and the UN ain't likely to even try to stop them. You can kiss your thousands of years old terraces goodby. So sorry.

[davidpdx]

3. That was what I was thinking

They may have temporarily stopped it, but it will be overruled by the government somehow.