(Yediot Ahronot-Hebrew) Yitzhak Ben Horin - The American government is very concerned about the discussion of Israel's security fence by the International Court of Justice in The Hague, due to begin on Feb. 23. A Washington source said elements in the Bush administration are concerned that if the legality of the fence can be taken up for discussion by the court, this could provide an opening for discussion in The Hague of issues related to the American occupation in Iraq. Americans believe the international criminal court in The Hague has no jurisdiction over the matter of the fence since it is a political and not a criminal issue. On Thursday, Foreign Ministry legal advisor Alan Baker arrives in Washington for discussions to develop a joint position with the U.S. on the issue. The decision of the court is not binding on Israel because it is to be in the form of an opinion and not a judgment.
2004-01-08 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive