United Nations, Dec 09: The UN General Assembly approved a resolution yesterday asking the International Court of Justice to issue an advisory opinion on the legal consequences of Israel's construction of a barrier which juts into the West Bank. The vote was 90 in favor, 8 opposed and 74 abstentions, reflecting uneasiness in many nations on referring the issue to the world court, based in The Hague, Netherlands.

Several stressed their opposition to the barrier - a 150-km network of fences, walls, razor wire and trenches - but said they didn't want the court involved and noted that its opinion would not be legally binding.

The US and Israel strongly opposed what they called a biased resolution, arguing that it would "politicize" the court and undermine efforts to reach a Middle East peace settlement. Israel insists the barrier, which it began building last year, is needed to prevent suicide attacks and says its construction is purely for security.


Raanan Gissin, spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, said the resolution's approval "indicates the bankruptcy of the general assembly: to subject to judicial review the inalienable right of every country, to put Israel on trial as if it is committing any crime."

Bureau Report