UN criticises West Bank barrier

Areas like the village of Bilin have seen protests against the barrier The West Bank barrier Israel is building will be devastating for Palestinians if completed along its proposed route, the UN says. In a report, the UN said thousands of Palestinians had already been cut off from their jobs, land or key services. The report blamed Israel's decision to build the barrier inside the West Bank rather than along the agreed border. The report was compiled to mark four years since an International Court of Justice ruling on the barrier. In an advisory judgement rejected by Israel, the court ruled in 2004 that the barrier is illegal where it cuts into the West Bank. Israel says the barrier is needed to keep out Palestinian attackers, but Palestinian officials describe the barrier's route as a land-grab. Major impact Detailing what... [read full story]