World Court sets hearing date for Israeli fence

By: Mohamed Ali

AMSTERDAM: The International Court of Justice announced Friday to hold hearings early next year on the legal consequences of the construction of the controversial barrier by Israel in the West Bank.

The United Nations General Assembly voted on December 9 to ask The Hague-based International Court of Justice - also known as the World Court - for a legal opinion on the barrier.

The World Court, set up to settle legal disputes between states and give advisory opinions, will open the hearings on February 23 and set a January 30 deadline for the submission of written statements.

An opinion by the court would add to diplomatic pressure on Israel.

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