Israel braces for setback at UN over WB barrier

Israel's deputy ambassador to the UN, Arieh Mekel, told public radio here that the resolution which was lodged by the Palestinian Authority's UN representative Nasser Al-Kidwa was likely to be approved by the General Assembly "thanks to the automatic majority" of the Arab countries.

A senior aide to Ariel Sharon said that the premier would hold talks with his Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom later in the day over how Israel should best argue its case.

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"This initiative is unacceptable and risks creating a dangerous precedent in denying to Israel and other Western countries the fundamental right to self-defense," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"Behind this text is a clear desire to deny Israel the right to exist."

At an earlier special session on the barrier, held October 21, the General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a resolution deeming it illegal under international law and calling for Israel to "stop and reverse" construction.

Israel insists that the barrier, which at times cuts deep into Palestinian territory, is merely designed to prevent infiltration by Palestinian militants intent on carrying out attacks on its soil and has no political connotations.

But the Palestinians regard what they have dubbed "the apartheid wall" as an attempt to pre-empt the borders of any future two-state settlement and grab some of their most fertile land.

The international court in the Hague can hand down its legal opinions in disputes but does not have any power to impose rulings or hand down sanctions.

But Yaffa Zilbershatz, professor of international law at Bir Ilan University near Tel Aviv, told public radio that if Israel lost in the court of justice it could pave the way for senior government officials to face action at the hands of the separate International Criminal Court, also based in the Hague.

In a report to the General Assembly late last month, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said the barrier was seriously harming the Palestinian people and undercutting hopes for the internationally-backed "roadmap" peace plan.

Annan said he recognised Israel's "right and duty" to protect its people but added: "That duty should not be carried out in a way that is in contradiction to international law."