JERUSALEM, July 28 (AFP) - Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz on Tuesday agreed to a limited re-routing north of Jerusalem of the controversial security barrier being built in the West Bank in spite of international protests.
Mofaz gave the green light to "a plan aimed at modifying the route of the barrier in line with principles laid down by (Israel's) supreme court," a statement issued by the defense ministry said.
However Mofaz made reservations on 10 points of the planned route, the ministry said without giving details.
The ministry at the same time ordered construction of the barrier south of Jerusalem to be sped up.
The supreme court ruled on June 30 that the West Bank barrier's current path violates the rights of tens of thousands of Palestinians living near Jerusalem and should be altered in several areas.
The new route should now be closer to the so-called Green Line which separates Israel and the West Bank.
The Israeli government has pledged to complete construction of the barrier -- a montage of electric fencing, barbed wire and concrete -- by the end of next year despite a barrage of international criticism.
A large part has already been built in the northern West Bank.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon insists the barrier is vital to prevent attacks by Palestinian militants on Israeli soil and has pointed to a marked drop in suicide bombings as proof of its success so far.
The Palestinians, however, say that its route, which often juts deep into the West Bank, is proof of an intent to pre-empt the borders of their promised future state and grab some of their most fertile land.
The barrier is Israel's most expensive project ever at an estimated cost of 3.4 billion dollars and should eventually stretch for more than 700 kilometers (430 miles).
On July 20 the Palestinians won strong international support as the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly backed a June 5 World Court ruling calling on Israel to tear down part of its West Bank barrier.