Palestinians submit barrier case

Israel says the barrier is to keep suicide bombers out

The Palestinian Authority has made a submission to the International Court of Justice, which is to rule on Israel's barrier in the West Bank.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the court had "full jurisdiction" and that the barrier was illegal.

The court, which is based in The Hague in the Netherlands, is due to begin hearings on 23 February.

A number of countries - including Israel, the United States, Britain - have opposed the hearings.

The fact that [the barrier] is being built in Palestinian territory is a flagrant violation of international law Saeb Erekat Palestinian negotiator

The case was referred to the court by the United Nations General Assembly and the ruling will not be binding.

The Palestinians call the barrier an apartheid wall and see it as a land grab.

"The fact that it is being built in Palestinian territory is a flagrant violation of international law," Mr Erekat told Reuters news agency.

The Palestinians fear the barrier will be come a de facto border if Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon carries out his threat of unilateral separation in the absence of a peace settlement.

Challenge

Israel says the aim of the barrier is to block suicide bombers and that it could be dismantled easily following a negotiated settlement.

The Palestinians call the barrier an apartheid wall

In their submission, the Israelis argued that the court had no jurisdiction in the dispute, which they view as a matter between them and the Palestinians.

Britain, the United States and Australia also oppose the hearing.

The BBC's David Chazan in Jerusalem say that this does not mean those countries are in favour of the barrier or its route - in fact they have criticised it for swallowing Palestinian land.

What they are concerned about - our correspondent says - is that the case could set a precedent for the UN General Assembly to refer other controversial questions to the court.

Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom on Saturday said more than 30 countries have filed objections to the court's authority to rule, and he hopes this will convince it to cancel the hearing.