United Nations, Oct 02: The Palestinian Authority's representative to the United Nations has asked the UN Security Council to move quickly to halt Israel's construction of a controversial security barrier in the West Bank. "We call specifically upon the Security Council to immediately take the necessary measures ... to address this grave matter and to bring a halt to these illegal actions by the occupying power (Israel)," Nasser al Kidwa said in a letter to the Council's presidency yesterday.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said this week that Israel's separation barrier across the West Bank will take in the Jewish settlements of Ariel and Kedumin, despite US opposition.
Israel says the barrier, which the Palestinians call "The Apartheid Wall”, is intended to block "terrorist infiltration" into Israel. Construction began in June 2002 between Israel and the West Bank and the first section -- 140 kilometres -- was completed last July 31.
The Israeli government on Wednesday approved construction of a second segment, which the Palestinian representative here claimed was "deliberately planned to encompass as many illegal settlements and water resources in the occupied Palestinian territory as possible."
On Monday, Israeli army radio and the dailies Haaretz and Yediot Aharonot quoted Sharon as telling lawmakers, "If we reach the point where this question triggers new differences, then we will meet again and discuss them with the Americans." Bureau Report