The West Bank wall

Almost simultaneously with the U.S. Supreme Court's decision upholding the rights of Guantanamo detainees to a civilian trial ... Israel's high court issued an important ruling that is not only just but also shows how important an independent judiciary is in maintaining the balance of power in a democracy. The Israeli Supreme Court ordered the wall Israel is constructing in the West Bank to be pulled back some 18 miles. The wall, which is nearly 30 feet high, is to be nearly 420 miles long by the end of next year.

Israel's high court ordered authorities to relocate the wall, which is intended to protect its people from Palestinian suicide terrorist attacks ... northwest of Jerusalem.

With good reason, prudence and the courage these types of decisions require, the Court said, "It's necessary to be aware of the suffering of the Palestinian population and try to minimize the impact." Of concern are some 35,000 Palestinian farmers apparently affected by the original plan. Following this decision, similar problems affecting the Palestinians in other places might ... in turn offer new modifications to the plan. -- La Nacion, Buenos Aires