Post by Salem6 on Feb 12, 2004 17:56:03 GMT
The Israeli Government has announced it will not attend hearings due to be held in The Hague later this month on its controversial security barrier.
The UN requested International Court of Justice hearings on the barrier, which snakes through the West Bank.
In places, the barrier divides Palestinian communities
"The court does not have the authority to hold [such] hearings," said an Israeli cabinet statement.
Israel argues the barrier will keep out suicide bombers, but Palestinians say it is a ploy to seize land.
At a meeting on Thursday, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's government decided to stand by an affidavit filed by Israel on 1 January which states that the ICJ has no authority in the matter.
Government lawyers argued that any Israeli presence at the hearings would lend them credibility.
The ICJ's hearings, due to begin on 23 February, follow a call by the UN General Assembly for a non-binding opinion on whether Israel is legally obliged to tear down the 720-kilometre (480-mile) barrier.
The UN requested International Court of Justice hearings on the barrier, which snakes through the West Bank.
In places, the barrier divides Palestinian communities
"The court does not have the authority to hold [such] hearings," said an Israeli cabinet statement.
Israel argues the barrier will keep out suicide bombers, but Palestinians say it is a ploy to seize land.
At a meeting on Thursday, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's government decided to stand by an affidavit filed by Israel on 1 January which states that the ICJ has no authority in the matter.
Government lawyers argued that any Israeli presence at the hearings would lend them credibility.
The ICJ's hearings, due to begin on 23 February, follow a call by the UN General Assembly for a non-binding opinion on whether Israel is legally obliged to tear down the 720-kilometre (480-mile) barrier.