Hague International Court debates Wall
Jerusalem (AsiaNews) Yesterday Israel was once again rocked by a new episode of violence. The Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack which left 8 people dead on a crowded bus in West Jerusalem. Abu Ala has condemned the violent attack which has confirmed Israel's worst fears.
Carried out on the eve the International Court of Justice meeting at the Hague concerning the Wall's legality, the terrorist attack is being exploited by both parties involved to debate the matter. Islamic fundamentalists have sent a clear message: for them the Wall dividing Israel and Palestine does not stop but rather increases acts of terrorism. However, for Israeli foreign minister Silvan Shalom the latest attack demonstrates the need to build a wall which will "save the lives" of many Israeli citizens.
Meanwhile hearings are underway today at the International Court of Justice at the Hague to debate the legality of the Wall. The international tribunal will issue a ruling based on its own legal judgment. Yet many experts say that the Hague Tribunal's legal assessment will be based solely on morality.
While awaiting the court's decision Holland has taken center stage in the Arab-Israeli conflict, where Jewish and Palestinian lobbying groups have organized press conferences, exhibitions and demonstrations in accusation of one another. One Israeli group obtained permission to exhibit the remains of a vehicle mangled in a Palestinian suicide bombing. Jewish protestors gathered at Amsterdam's airport to criticize Arab delegates from the Israeli Knesset (Parliament) who came for the hearings. Palestinian groups are expected to carry out similar protests on the city's streets.
This morning Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said the results of the court's hearing might jeopardize dialog with his Palestinian counterpart, Ahmed Qureia (Abu Ala).
At 11:00 a.m. this morning (local time) during a speech delivered in front of a Gaza press office Yasser Arafat called the wall "an attempt to swallow up 58% of occupied Palestinian territories and transform Palestinian cities and regions into collective prisons and concentrations camps, in isolated districts dominated by settlements established and built by Israel."
Fifty-three countries around the world have sent statements and letters to the Hague's international court's clerk's office. Inside sources say Switzerland issued a particularly severe "anti-wall" statement.
During today's court session representatives from Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Algeria will take part in debates. But the most populous Arab country in the world, Egypt, will not be there. The 4 Palestinian defense lawyers have four hours to express their sides of the issue. (PB)
.png)
