Israel said today it would re-route part of its disputed West Bank barrier after its highest court ordered changes to prevent Palestinians being cut off from their farms, schools and cities.
A three-judge panel said its unanimous thumbs-down to a planned 30-kilometre segment of the barrier would set guidelines for hearings on around 20 Palestinian petitions against other sections of the network of fences and walls.
"The re-planning of these sections will be based on the principles set by the High Court, namely the proper balance between security and humanitarian considerations," the ministry said in a statement.
It noted the court said Israel had a right to build a barrier on requisitioned land for security reasons.
Palestinians call the barrier a disguised attempt to annex occupied territory they want for a future state since it often snakes well into the West Bank to take in Jewish settlements Israel's government vows never to yield under any peace deal.
"This is a courageous and very important (High Court) ruling," said Mr Mohammed Dahleh, lawyer for the eight petitioning Palestinian villages with around 35,000 people.
"This decision is more important than the one at The Hague because this one will be followed," he told reporters.
White House Spokesman Mr Scott McClellan acknowledged the ruling, saying Washington would "continue to discuss these issues with the government of Israel" and pursue efforts to revive a stalled U.S.-backed "road map" peace plan.
Israel's government had argued that the barrier must be erected well into the West Bank in some places rather than along the boundary to provide a security buffer.
The Palestinian villagers' test case was joined by 30 Israelis from the Jerusalem suburb of Mevasseret Zion who feared that villagers with whom they have enjoyed neighbourly relations would otherwise be driven by desperation into violence.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie said the barrier should be removed altogether, calling it "an act of aggression".
The Defence Ministry said it would keep building the barrier as it had "already proven its worthiness in saving lives".
The Israeli parliament's finance committee earmarked $33 million to buttress security at Jewish settlements situated beyond the barrier, Israeli media reported.