Last update - 00:00 26/10/2006
High Court approves route of fence around W. Bank enclave
By Reuters and Haaretz Service
The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected Palestinian petitions against the route of a portion of the separation fence that cuts deep into the northern West Bank, in order to include a settlement bloc.
The court approved the section of the fence around Immanuel, Ma'aleh Shomron, and Karnei Shomron, citing security concerns and saying the three settlements have been "targets of harsh terror attacks over recent years."
Immanuel is located 18 kilometers (11 miles) inside the West Bank, while Ma'aleh Shomron and Karnei Shomron are slightly closer to Israel proper.
Residents of nearby Palestinian villages argued in their petitions that the 6 kilometer (3.5 mile)-long stretch of the separation fence would cut them off from their fields.
The court said they could appeal again, should arrangements for farmers to reach their crops through special gates prove unsatisfactory.