Muslims clap ICJ ruling; Pals to go to UN as Israel asks US veto

By: Ahmad Hammadi

HELD JERUSALEM: As Israelis counted on US support, the Palestinians sought European backing on Saturday for their efforts at the United Nations to ensure enforcement of a non-binding international court ruling that Israel's West Bank barrier must be dismantled.

Speaking to Israel radio, Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said he has asked US officials to prevent the adoption of any UN Security Council resolution aimed at enforcing the court's decision.

The Palestinians have said they will seek the support of the world body's members in the General Assembly, then go to the Security Council.

“The issue will go to the Security Council because they (Palestinians) have an automatic majority in the UN General Assembly,” Shalom said.

Palestinian Premier Ahmed Qureia told European envoy Marc Otte that the Palestinians want Europe's support at the United Nations.

“We have to look carefully at what the court says and what the consequences are,” Otte said. As to the General Assembly, “we have to see how things happen.”

US officials made clear after the International Court of Justice at The Hague, Netherlands, issued its advisory opinion Friday that they opposed the UN's involvement on the issue. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said Washington rejects the idea there should be “further action” by the United Nations in light of the court ruling.

In its ruling, the World Court declared the barrier illegal and said construction must stop. It urged the General Assembly and Security Council to consider “what further action is required to bring to an end the illegal situation.”

In the Arab and Muslim world, the court's decision was welcomed. “This decision signifies the international community's opposition to the expansionistic and racist policies of the Zionist regime,” Iran foreign ministry spokesman said Saturday.

The Arab League's representative at the United Nations Ambassador Yahya Mahmassani said Arab nations will send a letter Monday requesting a meeting of the General Assembly to implement the court's decision.

The 191-nation world body can recommend that the wall be torn down, and it can recommend sanctions if Israel fails to comply. But only the 15-member Security Council can order such actions.

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World Court rules Israel fence illegal, US brushes aside edict

THE HAGUE: The International Court of Justice ruled Friday that Israel's West Bank barrier violates international law therefore the Zionist State should stop building it and tear down the network of fences, concrete slabs and trenches in occupied Palestinian territory while the White House said it was “inappropriate” for the world court to issue a ruling on the wall and Israel said it has no intention of halting work on the fence.

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