The Israeli Supreme Court has ordered the opening of one of the country's major highways to Palestinians, who had been barred access for seven years, the Kol Israel radio station said on Wednesday.

The 28-kilometer Highway 443, which crosses the occupied West Bank territories and links Tel Aviv with Jerusalem, was closed to Palestinians in 2002, after a series of armed attacks on Israeli drivers, five of whom died.

"Freedom of movement is a key human right, and we must take every effort to ensure its implementation in the Israeli-administered territories," the court, which met a Palestinians' request, said in its ruling.

In line with the ruling, the Israeli army must ensure free access to the highway for residents of the West Bank within five months.

According to the Haaretz newspaper, the highway, used by some 40,000 of Israelis a day, has blocked 12 Palestinian roads. Watchtowers, fences and concrete fortifications have prevented residents of 22 neighboring Palestinian localities from free movement.

The West Bank and East Jerusalem have been occupied by Israel since the 1967 Arab-Israeli War.

TEL AVIV, December 30 (RIA Novosti)