Security fence
Security fenceFlash 90

The European Union said on Friday it was "deeply concerned" by Israel's construction of a new part of the security fence between it and Palestinian Authority (PA) controlled territories. 

Cranes last week began erecting the fence in the Cremisan valley near the Palestinian town of Beit Jala south of Jerusalem after a legal battle.

The EU said in a statement it was "deeply concerned at the relaunch of works for the construction of the separation barrier in the Cremisan valley."

"Once built, the barrier will severely restrict access of almost 60 Palestinian families to their agricultural land and profoundly affect their
livelihoods," it claimed. 

Residents of Beit Jala fear the construction may lead to the expansion of the southern Jerusalem neighborhood Gilo and the nearby town of Har Gilo.

They have sought to campaign against it, but after a nine-year legal battle Israel's High Court ruled in July 2015 that the wall was legitimate and allowed construction to resume.

Israel began building the barrier of walls and fences between it and the PA in 2002 at the height of the Second Intifada terror war, saying it was crucial for security.

AFP contributed to this report.