Too close to communities. West Bank security fence
Photo: Hagai Aharon
Israelis petition against security fence
Residents of Maccabim and Reut, near Modiin, claim West Bank security fence being built too close to their communities; say fence poses security threat as it is situated only some 50 meters (about 164 feet) from homes and offers opportunity to fire at them. Attorney representing petitioners: We are in favor of the fence, but its route is unacceptable
Another petition has been filed Thursday against the continued construction of the West Bank security fence, but this time it was Jewish Israelis, and not Arab-Israelis or Palestinians, who asked that the fence’s route be changed.
The petitioners, residents of Maccabim and Reut, near Modiin, claim the security fence is being built too close to their communities.
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The fence’s route currently passes through Maccabim toward the Palestinian village of Beit Sira. According to the residents, the route poses both a security and a health hazard to their community.
“The fence’s route runs only a few dozen meters from Maccabim, blocks main road (no. 3) and is shutting it down,” Hila Weissman, the attorney representing the petitioners, said.
“The traffic from the main road will be directed to a municipal area that is not prepared for it. This may result in accidents and casualties.”
The residents say the fence poses a security threat as it is situated only some 50 meters (about 164 feet) from the homes and offers the opportunity to fire at them. Moreover, the close proximity of the fence to the community will make it difficult to chase down terrorists in case they infiltrate the town.
Weissman emphasized that the petition is against the fence’s route, not against the construction of the fence itself.
“We have no complaints against the fence. We are in favor of it; but the route is unacceptable,” she said.
“The interests of the Israeli side were not taken into consideration.”
