Jerusalem: Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat today (Feb 23, 2004) appealed to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in Hague, hearing on the legality of Israel's West Bank barrier, to rule against it even as Palestinians are observing a National Day of "rage and protest" against the fence.

"The ICJ has the opportunity today to anchor the legal basis of international legitimacy, to give hope for peace and for the building of bridges of cooperation and friendship instead of the wall of annexation, expansion and apartheid," Arafat said in a televised speech.

Arafat urged Palestinians to "make their voices heard" against the wall that "aims to deprive our people of their land and prevent the creation of a Palestinian State with Jerusalem as its capital, in conformity with international resolutions."

The Palestinian Authority (PA) has called upon the masses to stage rallies and demonstrations in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Jerusalem to mark the day of "rage and protest".

The event coming a day after a suicide attack in Jerusalem in which eight Israelis were killed has caused embarrassment for PA leadership. Officials yesterday said the timing of the bombing was extremely harmful to interests of the Palestinians and could weaken their argument against the Israeli fence.

Meanwhile, Israeli Army demolished the house of yesterday's suicide bomber in a "limited operation", putting the security apparatus on a state of high alert.

The Army last night entered Bethlehem and demolished the house of Muhammad Za'ul, who blew himself up in a Jerusalem bus, killing eight passengers and wounding dozens.