Post by Salem6 on Feb 25, 2004 17:51:39 GMT
An Israeli military official has said the controversial West Bank barrier will be shortened to 640km, 80km less than originally approved.
The confirmation came as the world court was wrapping up hearings into the legality of the barrier.
Israel says the shortened barrier will ease the burden on Palestinians
Palestinians say the barrier is a land grab, but Israel says it keeps suicide bombers out of the Jewish state.
Israel has not sent a team to the hearings, arguing that the case goes beyond the court's competence.
Brigadier General Eran Ophir told the Israeli newspaper Haaretz of the decision to shorten the length of the barrier.
REVISED BARRIER
20km (12.43-mile) section cancelled in the Jordan Valley
Work has begun on removing a 8km (5-mile) section near Baka al-Sharqiya village
900m of fencing will be removed from the West Bank town of Qalqiliya
A row of deep trenches will not be dug near Ben Gurion Airport
He said the changes would take place in several different places, and were meant to ease the burden on Palestinians.
General Ophir made the comments while touring the Palestinian village of Baka al-Sharqiya, where the barrier has been completed but will be moved.
BBC Middle East correspondent Paul Wood says the United States is pressing Israel to re-route the barrier so it does not go through Palestinian territory.
The Defence Ministry, which is responsible for building the barrier, has responded to the announcement by saying any official changes to the route will have to await government approval.
Highly critical
The Arab League and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference have given testimony against the barrier at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague.
Both groups were highly critical of the project.
"The effects of the wall are many, but all negative. It is an affront to international law and adds to the suffering of the Palestinian people," said the Arab League's counsel, Michael Bothe.
He said the tribunal should issue a firm ruling that the barrier must be destroyed, that confiscated lands be returned and that compensation be paid.
'Symbolic importance'
The United Nations General Assembly asked the International Court of Justice to consider the barrier issue.
KEY PLAYERS' POSITIONS
Palestinians: Barrier a violation of rights; crosses into occupied land, therefore illegal
Israel: Barrier vital for security, no political significance; ICJ has no jurisdiction; hearing could undermine peace moves
US: ICJ has no place in dispute; roadmap is way forward
EU: Against barrier crossing into West Bank; ICJ hearing divisive, inappropriate
44 UN members submitted arguments to court
Speaking for Palestinian case: 14 countries and organisations including South Africa, Arab League
The court ruling - if one is made - is not expected for several months and will not be binding. However, correspondents say it would have great symbolic importance.
Israel struck a defiant note on Tuesday by starting work on a 42km stretch of the barrier in the northern West Bank village of Beit Surik.
Since then Israeli and Palestinian activists have clashed with Israeli soldiers.
The protesters were trying to stop bulldozers clearing the ground for a section of the barrier running through the village.
Mock hearing
Israelis have launched their own protest up the road from The Hague, staging a mock hearing which concluded that their country "has an absolute right to defend itself".
Arnold Roth, whose 15-year-old daughter, Malka, was killed in an attack on a Jerusalem pizza restaurant in 2001, said: "The fact that these death cult murderers are able to carry out their disgraceful, disgusting acts is what brings us all here."
On Tuesday Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon denounced the hearing as an "international circus" and vowed to complete construction of the barrier.
The confirmation came as the world court was wrapping up hearings into the legality of the barrier.
Israel says the shortened barrier will ease the burden on Palestinians
Palestinians say the barrier is a land grab, but Israel says it keeps suicide bombers out of the Jewish state.
Israel has not sent a team to the hearings, arguing that the case goes beyond the court's competence.
Brigadier General Eran Ophir told the Israeli newspaper Haaretz of the decision to shorten the length of the barrier.
REVISED BARRIER
20km (12.43-mile) section cancelled in the Jordan Valley
Work has begun on removing a 8km (5-mile) section near Baka al-Sharqiya village
900m of fencing will be removed from the West Bank town of Qalqiliya
A row of deep trenches will not be dug near Ben Gurion Airport
He said the changes would take place in several different places, and were meant to ease the burden on Palestinians.
General Ophir made the comments while touring the Palestinian village of Baka al-Sharqiya, where the barrier has been completed but will be moved.
BBC Middle East correspondent Paul Wood says the United States is pressing Israel to re-route the barrier so it does not go through Palestinian territory.
The Defence Ministry, which is responsible for building the barrier, has responded to the announcement by saying any official changes to the route will have to await government approval.
Highly critical
The Arab League and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference have given testimony against the barrier at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague.
Both groups were highly critical of the project.
"The effects of the wall are many, but all negative. It is an affront to international law and adds to the suffering of the Palestinian people," said the Arab League's counsel, Michael Bothe.
He said the tribunal should issue a firm ruling that the barrier must be destroyed, that confiscated lands be returned and that compensation be paid.
'Symbolic importance'
The United Nations General Assembly asked the International Court of Justice to consider the barrier issue.
KEY PLAYERS' POSITIONS
Palestinians: Barrier a violation of rights; crosses into occupied land, therefore illegal
Israel: Barrier vital for security, no political significance; ICJ has no jurisdiction; hearing could undermine peace moves
US: ICJ has no place in dispute; roadmap is way forward
EU: Against barrier crossing into West Bank; ICJ hearing divisive, inappropriate
44 UN members submitted arguments to court
Speaking for Palestinian case: 14 countries and organisations including South Africa, Arab League
The court ruling - if one is made - is not expected for several months and will not be binding. However, correspondents say it would have great symbolic importance.
Israel struck a defiant note on Tuesday by starting work on a 42km stretch of the barrier in the northern West Bank village of Beit Surik.
Since then Israeli and Palestinian activists have clashed with Israeli soldiers.
The protesters were trying to stop bulldozers clearing the ground for a section of the barrier running through the village.
Mock hearing
Israelis have launched their own protest up the road from The Hague, staging a mock hearing which concluded that their country "has an absolute right to defend itself".
Arnold Roth, whose 15-year-old daughter, Malka, was killed in an attack on a Jerusalem pizza restaurant in 2001, said: "The fact that these death cult murderers are able to carry out their disgraceful, disgusting acts is what brings us all here."
On Tuesday Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon denounced the hearing as an "international circus" and vowed to complete construction of the barrier.