Israel to remove portion of West Bank security fence
Israel is to remove a portion of its controversial security fence in the West Bank, according to press reports.
The six-mile segment of the fence encircles and isolates a Palestinian dwelling from its neighbours.
Fences, trenches and barbed wire will be removed from the eastern side of the village of Baka al-Sharkia on Sunday.
But another barrier in the west of the town will remain in place.
The decision comes ahead of the hearing at the International Court of Justice, in The Hague, on Monday, which will address the legality of the security fence.
On Thursday, Geneva-based humanitarian body, the Red Cross, lambasted Israel for breaching international laws governing the rollout of the fence.
The agency said the path of the barrier ‘deviated’ from the ‘Green Line’ into occupied territory. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said the 125-mile long barrier had had a severe impact on the lives of Palestinians.
The legal proceedings in The Hague will be broadcast live on the court’s website http://www.icj-cij.org.
Israel, the US and the EU have declined to attend the proceedings.
Meanwhile, Palestinians are preparing to hold mass protests against the West Bank barrier on Monday.
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat is penned in to speak at 10:00 (0800 GMT) when the hearing opens.
Mr Arafat declared February 23 a national day of ‘rage and protest’ against the so-called ‘apartheid wall.’
