United Nations: The UN General Assembly (UNGA) has sought opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legality of construction of security barrier in occupied Palestinian lands by Israel, which, it said, violated the 1949 UN-brokered boundary known as Green Line.

A Palestinian initiated Resolution calling on the Court to "urgently render" an advisory opinion was adopted yesterday (Dec 8, 2003) by the 191-member Assembly by 90 votes to 8 with the US, Israel, Australia, Ethiopia, Palau, Pacific Islands of Nauri, Marshall Islands and Micronesia opposing it.

However, the vote was marked by a large number of 74 abstentions including Europeans who oppose the building of barrier but argue that it is an issue that should be settled by negotiations and seeking the Court's opinion would only politicise it.

India was among those who voted for the Resolution sponsored by 27 nations. Russia abstained but China voted in favour.

The finding of the Court would be non-binding. But the moral pressure on Israel would increase if the Court gives the opinion that the barrier is illegal. The General Assembly Resolutions are also non-binding but they are considered more political than legal in nature.

Israel is building a 150 km long barrier comprising thick walls, fences, razor wires and trenches, which, it says, is meant to deter suicide bombers who have killed scores of civilians. But Palestinians say Israel has used the construction to grab Palestinians lands ahead of any negotiations on the boundary between the two.

PTI