Sharon's Folly

UN condemnation

Despite UN condemnation and an International Court of Justice ruling against Israel's 8m-high concrete West Bank barrier, Israel has continued fencing-off Palestinians into enclaves.

Signalling a major diplomatic victory for the Palestinians a year ago, a European-Union-backed resolution, pressing Israel to heed the World Court ruling and demolish the wall, was approved by a 150-6 vote with 10 abstentions.

"Now they have land barriers and tomorrow sea barriers and the day after sky barriers and what else? Will they put a barrier around each Palestinian individual or house?"

Saeb Erekat,
Palestinian chief negotiator

Among those who voted against Israel was its staunchest ally, the United States.

Israel has consistently said it would ignore the ruling on 9 July 2004 by the International Court of Justice at The Hague and continue construction on the 700km separation wall.

The court said Israel had to dismantle the parts of the controversial barrier that was built on Palestinian territory and pay the Palestinians reparations for damages.