[JURIST] The Israel High Court of Justice [official website] has ruled that the Israeli government can continue construction of the security fence [IDF website] it has been building around the city of Jerusalem, rejecting Palestinian requests for injunctions to delay work near several Palestinian villages. The court reasoned that because Palestinians would no longer be restricted in their travel in the area, the Israel government was authorized to complete the barrier. The Court particularly noted that new roads and checkpoints around the West Bank have made travel for Palestinians much easier in the area. In the case, Palestinians had requested the Court issue an injunction stopping further construction of the barrier, but the Court refused to do so.

In September of last year, the high court upheld the security barrier [JURIST report] in the West Bank, but urged the government to review the barrier's route through areas that did not have demonstrated security concerns. That ruling by the Israel high court came despite an earlier advisory opinion [text; JURIST report] by the International Court of Justice [official website] claiming the fence violated international law. Haaretz has more.