Israel court orders Qalandiya changes

Israel's supreme court ruled Wednesday that authorities in the occupied West Bank should construct a checkpoint for pedestrians and cars at the entrance of Qalandiya village. The ruling followed an appeal by attorney Ghayath Nasser against the route of the wall, which lasted five years. The court determined that because the Ministry of Defense refused to pave a street at the entrance, officials must establish a crossing to allow local residents to pass through. Nasser said that after five years of court battles, Qalandiya will be attached again with Jerusalem and the entrance of the village will reopen so passengers can cross back and forth. The case dates back to 2006, when the Ministry of Defense issued a military order to build the wall in Qalandiya, he said. The decision would separate the village into two parts. The ministry had initially refused to establish a checkpoint in the area that would allow people to get to their lands or Jerusalem. Since then, the village has been closed and the ministry erected a temporary barrier. The village council of Qalandiya appealed the measures, resulting in the case.