Road 443 links the Israeli city of Modi’in to Jerusalem. And for the past eight years it has only been open to Israeli motorists, not Palestinians. The reason, Israeli motorists were often shot at.

Palestinians and human rights organizations appealed to the Israel Supreme Court of Justice to let Palestinians use the road once again. And on Friday, the road was partially re-opened to Palestinian motorists.

But Palestinians say they want full access between the city of Ramallah and Jerusalem, but Israelis fear new security problems could arise.

[Hanan Berstein, Deputy Major, Modi’in]:
"Before opening the road the Israeli Defense Forces decided to make new security arrangements and added a security crossing point."

This taxi driver says he was only allowed to enter 443 from the nearby village of Beit Sira.

[Mohamed Abu Able, Palestinian Taxi driver]:
"I told him (the soldier) that I want to go to Ramallah, he told me it is forbidden. So I told him can I enter from here and turn at the end, he said it is forbidden, you can only go to Beit Sira (a nearby Palestinian village), so the road is open only at Beit Sira."

So will the new security measures be enough to stop attacks on Israelis?

[Hanan Berstein, Deputy Major, Modi’in]:
"It will be much harder for a terrorist to act as he will need information from intelligence and a good observation point."

Others say only good can come from the Israeli court’s decision.

[Dr. Guy Harpaz, Faculty of Law, Hebrew University]:
"I believe that the opening of road 443 and letting the Palestinians use the road is improving Israel’s international relationships."

NTD, Modi’in, Israel.