Tuesday, July 29, 2008
IDF to dismantle 2.4 kilometers of separation fence at cost of NIS 50m
After a five-year battle, the defense establishment has finally given in: It agreed to dismantle a 2.4-kilometer stretch of the separation fence north of Qalqilyah. The move will return 2,600 dunams of agricultural land to its Palestinian owners.
The dismantled stretch will be replaced by 4.9 kilometers of fencing closer to the Green Line, at a cost of more than NIS 50 million. The new route largely follows the one proposed years ago by the Council for Peace and Security.
The change apparently stemmed in part from the views of new Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, who believes the government, not the IDF, should determine the precise route of the fence.
The fence in this area was built in 2003, and residents of several nearby Palestinian villages promptly petitioned the High Court of Justice against it. They won several legal victories over the years: The court ordered the fence be moved closer to the Green Line around Bil'in, Alfei Menashe and Tzufin...
For some perspective and additional information, Qalqilyah has been (at least in the past and I've not heard whether it has changed or not) one of the primary staging areas and conduits for Sunni Arab terrorist cells and terrorists. It has also served as a training locale.
Here (jpg) is an enlargeable map wherein Qalqilyah (Qalqiliya on the map) can be readily located.
Here is a Sept., 2007 post at Solomonia which serves as an example wherein Qalqilyah has served as a staging ground and conduit for those Sunni Arab cells.
Here is more background, issuing from a Sept, 2005 judgement handed down from the Israeli Supreme Court.