House Democratic Majority Urges Netanyahu to Remove Carmel Fence

A letter dated July 31 and signed by more than half of the House Democratic caucus urges Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to order removal of barbed-wire fencing beside the Jewish community of Carmel. The lawmakers say the barrier blocks the route used by children from neighboring Umm Al-Kheir and accuse settlers and soldiers of impeding school access. The IDF says the fence lies within Carmel’s municipal boundaries and that a safe alternative route reaches the school without passing through the community. Mount Hebron council head Eliram Azulay says he drove the alternate route in about 70 seconds.