ASIA/HOLY LAND - Local European Union statement: "regret and concern" on the separation barrier in the Cremisan Valley

Jerusalem (Agenzia Fides) - The EU Missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah have released a statement of the Israeli Supreme Court’s decision to allow the construction of a section of the Separation Barrier through the Cremisan Valley (see Fides 08/07/2015). The statement, which is dated July 10, expressed "deep regret and concern" regarding the court’s decision. "If built - the statement reports, sent to Agenzia Fides - this Barrier will severely restrict access of 58 Palestinian families from their agricultural land and profoundly affect their livelihoods. It will also involve a further encroachment on Palestinian land close to Bethlehem, an area already severely affected by settlement expansion, thereby increasing pressure on the Palestinian population living there". The Palestinian families directly penalized by the decision of the Israeli Supreme Court are all Christians.
The EU Missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah recall that the EU has endorsed the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (July 2004) stating that the construction of the Separation Barrier on occupied territory is "illegal". (GV) (Agenzia Fides 14/07/2015)