Israeli lawyers call for end to West Bank fence

[Wonk]

BEN LYNFIELD IN JERUSALEM

ISRAELI human rights lawyers yesterday fired off the opening shots of a legal battle against the controversial West Bank separation barrier, arguing that its construction deep inside occupied territory violates international law.

But attorneys for the Israeli state told the country’s supreme court that the route of the barrier would probably be revised to ease Palestinian hardship.

Yesterday’s court action comes ahead of international court deliberations on the same issue later this month.

more...
http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=160212004

[Wonk]

1. Legal bid to block West Bank barrier

Rights groups tell Israeli supreme court 'immoral' security fence breaks local and international law

Chris McGreal in Jerusalem
Tuesday February 10, 2004
The Guardian

Israeli human rights groups yesterday asked the country's supreme court to stop the construction of a vast "security fence" through the West Bank, on the grounds that it breaches international and Israeli law and creates a form of apartheid.

They argued that Ariel Sharon's government had spun a legal web to justify the "intolerable, illegal and immoral" barrier.

(snip)

Yesterday's hearing came two weeks before the international court of justice at The Hague is scheduled to judge a UN challenge to the barrier.

Many of the same arguments are expected to be heard, although the Israeli government has yet to announce whether it will participate in the Netherlands hearings, after submitting a brief, backed by the US, Britain and EU, claiming that the world court does not have jurisdiction in a "political" case.

more...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,1144601,00.html

[Jim Sagle]

3. Ambulance-chasing jagoffs!

:thumbsdown:

[wuushew]

4. Any sarcasm in that remark?

Because your avatar emphasizes an "even handed approach" to peace in the middle east. A remark that raised the ire of AIPAC.

[Jim Sagle]

5. Not a bit of sarcasm. And while I like AIPAC, I make up my own mind.

[Gimel]

6. Won't end

There won't be an end to the fence. As we have already noted, the fence can be relocated where the situation warrants it.

[sushi]

2. It's good to hear

thinking people speak.:thumbsup: