West Bank barrier 'illegal'

2004-07-09 11:14

Jerusalem - The world court ruled on Friday that Israel's West Bank barrier is contrary to international law and that parts already built on Palestinian land should be dismantled, a leaked copy of the ruling said.

Haaretz newspaper reported before the ruling that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) was to rule that Israel's West Bank separation barrier is illegal under international law and can not be justified on security grounds.

It said the Hague-based court, the United Nations' highest legal body, would also call for compensation to be paid to Palestinians whose property has been confiscated to make way for the barrier's construction.

"The wall, along the route chosen, and its associated regime, gravely infringe a number of rights of Palestinians residing in the territory occupied by Israel, and the infringements resulting from that route cannot be justified by military exigencies or by the requirements of national security or public order," according to documents obtained by the liberal daily.

All but one judge agreed

The court was to rule that on the basis of the material available to it, "it is not convinced that the specific course Israel has chosen for the wall was necessary to attain its security objectives," according to the documents.

Haaretz said all but one of the court's 15 judges agreed with the decision. The lone dissenter was an American, Thomas Buerghenthal.

Israel boycotted the hearings into the legality of the barrier back in February, and has been bracing for defeat in the court.

The government has already made clear that it has no intention of halting construction, regardless of the court's non-binding ruling.

But Palestinian prime minister Ahmed Qorei has said he will use a ruling against the barrier's legality as a lever to increase pressure at the United Nations against Israel.

The Israelis say the barrier is vital to prevent suicide attacks on its soil but the Palestinians say its route, which often juts deep into the West Bank, is proof of an intent to pre-empt the borders of their promised future state.

The court was due to announce its verdict at 14:00.

- AFP