Israelis protest ruling on illegal settler homes

Jewish settlers are protesting a Supreme Court ruling requiring the removal of five settler apartment buildings built on private Palestinian land.

Waving Israeli flags, those marching vowed to reach Jerusalem by Wednesday, when ultranationalist legislators plan to submit a bill to legalise the dwellings retroactively.

The issue has become a minefield for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who supports the Supreme Court decision.

Amid settler outcries, Netanyahu has proposed a plan in which the homes would be relocated.

Some settlers are still furious with the move.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) RESIDENT OF THE BEIT EL SETTLEMENT MOSHE ROSENBAUM SAYING:

"It's not humanity, it's against the law. Even to terrorists, the government doesn't destroy their houses. How come the government wants to destroy houses of good settlers, of good citizens of this country."

The U.N. World Court considers the settlements illegal, but Israel, citing historical and Biblical claims on the territory, disputes this.

Sarah Sheffer, Reuters