Post by Salem6 on Feb 9, 2004 11:30:29 GMT
Israel's Supreme Court has begun a hearing into the legality of the controversial West Bank barrier.
The case has been brought by Israeli human rights groups, which contend that the barrier is illegal because it is being built on occupied land.
The barrier cuts deep into the West Bank in places
It comes weeks before the World Court is due to consider if the barrier contravenes international law.
On Sunday, Israeli officials said the barrier's route could be altered, amid concerns from the US and Palestinians.
The Israeli Government says the barrier is vital to stop Palestinian suicide bombers infiltrating Israel from the West Bank.
Palestinians say it is a device to seize their land and thwart the creation of a Palestinian state.
Legal battle
The human rights groups - the Center for the Defense of the Individual and the Association for Civil Rights in Israel - want the barrier re-routed along Israel's border with the West Bank.
Currently, most of the planned 720 kilometre (480 miles) barrier is being constructed inside the West Bank, disrupting the lives of thousands of Palestinians.
If the court rules in favour of the petition, correspondents say a lengthy legal process could follow.
The International Court of Justice in The Hague is scheduled to begin its hearings into the barrier's legality on 23 February.
Israeli officials, meanwhile, have said some changes will be made to the barrier's route.
The barrier is likely to be shortened by about 100km (62 miles) and plans to loop it around Jewish settlements are expected to be dropped.
US concessions
Zalman Shoval, an adviser to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, said the modifications would be presented to US officials due in Israel this week in the hope of winning their support.
"We want as much as possible to draw a line with the Americans," he said.
The BBC's Richard Miron in Jerusalem says the changes - even if they do happen - are unlikely to silence the opposition to the barrier.
Palestinian Cabinet minister Jamal Shobaki said the Palestinian Authority would oppose the barrier if it infringes "even one centimetre" on lands Palestinians want for a future state.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei has begun his first overseas tour since taking office and is seeking support for his strong opposition to the barrier.
The structure
Israel is building a 700km fence in the West Bank.
It says the structure is for security, but opponents fear it is an attempt to define borders.
Most of the barrier is wire fence at least 3m high, reinforced with a ditch and coils of razor wire.
A few sections considered high-risk have been built from concrete blocks.
The route
It is estimated that the fence costs $1.6m per kilometre.
After American criticism, the Israeli Government put off a final decision on sending the fence deep into the West Bank to take in the Ariel settlement block.
Palestinian organisations believe that there are plans to build a further fence cutting them off from Jordan to the east.
Qalqilya hotspot
The impact of the fence has been felt most acutely in the town of Qalqilya. The town surrounded and cut off on three sides. Access is through a single checkpoint.
A UN report has condemned the barrier as illegal. It says the fence will cause serious human suffering to 700,000 Palestinians, cutting them off from their farms, jobs and schools.
The case has been brought by Israeli human rights groups, which contend that the barrier is illegal because it is being built on occupied land.
The barrier cuts deep into the West Bank in places
It comes weeks before the World Court is due to consider if the barrier contravenes international law.
On Sunday, Israeli officials said the barrier's route could be altered, amid concerns from the US and Palestinians.
The Israeli Government says the barrier is vital to stop Palestinian suicide bombers infiltrating Israel from the West Bank.
Palestinians say it is a device to seize their land and thwart the creation of a Palestinian state.
Legal battle
The human rights groups - the Center for the Defense of the Individual and the Association for Civil Rights in Israel - want the barrier re-routed along Israel's border with the West Bank.
Currently, most of the planned 720 kilometre (480 miles) barrier is being constructed inside the West Bank, disrupting the lives of thousands of Palestinians.
If the court rules in favour of the petition, correspondents say a lengthy legal process could follow.
The International Court of Justice in The Hague is scheduled to begin its hearings into the barrier's legality on 23 February.
Israeli officials, meanwhile, have said some changes will be made to the barrier's route.
The barrier is likely to be shortened by about 100km (62 miles) and plans to loop it around Jewish settlements are expected to be dropped.
US concessions
Zalman Shoval, an adviser to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, said the modifications would be presented to US officials due in Israel this week in the hope of winning their support.
"We want as much as possible to draw a line with the Americans," he said.
The BBC's Richard Miron in Jerusalem says the changes - even if they do happen - are unlikely to silence the opposition to the barrier.
Palestinian Cabinet minister Jamal Shobaki said the Palestinian Authority would oppose the barrier if it infringes "even one centimetre" on lands Palestinians want for a future state.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei has begun his first overseas tour since taking office and is seeking support for his strong opposition to the barrier.
The structure
Israel is building a 700km fence in the West Bank.
It says the structure is for security, but opponents fear it is an attempt to define borders.
Most of the barrier is wire fence at least 3m high, reinforced with a ditch and coils of razor wire.
A few sections considered high-risk have been built from concrete blocks.
The route
It is estimated that the fence costs $1.6m per kilometre.
After American criticism, the Israeli Government put off a final decision on sending the fence deep into the West Bank to take in the Ariel settlement block.
Palestinian organisations believe that there are plans to build a further fence cutting them off from Jordan to the east.
Qalqilya hotspot
The impact of the fence has been felt most acutely in the town of Qalqilya. The town surrounded and cut off on three sides. Access is through a single checkpoint.
A UN report has condemned the barrier as illegal. It says the fence will cause serious human suffering to 700,000 Palestinians, cutting them off from their farms, jobs and schools.