I am delighted that the High Court of Justice in Israel ruled on Maundy Thursday that the extension of the separation wall through the Cremisan valley “violated the rights” of the people of Beit Jala.
The proposed wall through the Cremisan valley threatened to separate the nineteenth century Salesian monasteries and a convent school. The Court has instructed the Israeli government to plan a new route, although it has set no time frame for the new plans.
I am against all walls that separate communities from each other, let alone from their lands and their properties.
This judgment rightly puts paid to any attempts to weaken the status of Christians in this southern part of Palestine. Separating walls create difficulties in movement, access to worship and to education.
I share the joy of HB Fouad Twal, Latin-rite Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem, in welcoming this decision.
Bishop Declan Lang, Bishop of Clifton
Chair of the Bishops’ Conference International Affairs Department
