ABSTRACT
The Israeli Government led by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon began the first phase of construction of the separation barrier on March 29, 2002. The separation barrier is being built in subsections by 22 private contractors that won tenders for infrastructure work publicized by the Israeli government. The barrier's routing is the area in which the legal system in Israel has taken a significant role. However, actions through the court have provided opportunities for Palestinians and Israeli human rights organizations to cooperate on challenges to the barrier's legality, but mostly to the specific routing of the barrier. The petition concerning the route of the barrier by Alfei Menashe built on the concept of "proportionality" as set forth by the judgment of the Supreme Court of Israel in the case of Beit Sourik. The routing of the barrier has been a frequent subject of deliberation at the Supreme court of Israel.
