Israel to change route of separation fence near Jerusalem to cut off Palestinians from E-1 area
Defense Minister Ehud Barak has decided to close the breach in the separation fence between Jerusalem and Ma'aleh Adumim, thereby positioning the fence between the Palestinian village of Al-Zaim and the contested E-1 area. This would mean that Ma'aleh Adumim would be located outside the security fence and that Palestinians would be prevented from reaching area E-1.
The plan is to be presented to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his approval next week.
The breach in the fence at Al-Zaim, a small village just east of Jerusalem's municipal boundaries, is three kilometers wide. However, there is a wall west of Al-Zaim which was built to prevent the residents of Al-Zaim who are not permitted in Israel from reaching Jerusalem. (Al-Zaim can be accessed via the Al-Zaim checkpoint on the road leading from Jerusalem to Ma'aleh Adumim and the Dead Sea.
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With regard to Al-Zaim, the defense minister had two options: include it in Israeli territory or position it east of the fence. The main difference between the options has to do with E-1, in which Netanyahu plans to build a settlement, despite opposition by the international community.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/israel-to-change-route-of-separation-fence-near-jerusalem-to-cut-off-palestinians-from-e-1-area.premium-1.495178
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