Jerusalem: Rejecting the International Court of Justice (IJC) ruling on the controversial Israeli security fence as "one-sided" and "political in nature", Prime Minister Ariel Sharon today (July 1107) vowed to continue with its construction work, hours after an attack in Tel Aviv which left one dead and 20 others injured near the Central Bus Station.

Speaking at the opening of a cabinet meeting, Sharon said ICJ's decision in The Hague was "a slap in the face of global fight against terrorism", which ignored "the reason for the construction of the fence - murderous Palestinian terror." In his first public comment on the ICT ruling, Sharon claimed the decision "sends a destructive message to encourage the terror and denounces countries that are defending themselves against it" and asserted that the continuation of the construction work of the remaining part of the fence "is the most reasonable measure to take against this criminal terrorism."

Pointing to the attack today in Tel Aviv two hours before the start of the meeting, he said, "the murderous act this morning is the first that occurred to the credit of the decision of the world court at The Hague."

The Prime Minister also called upon all the countries involved in the fight against terror to reject the ICJ ruling.

Israel has got down to mobilize support of as many "relevant countries" as possible and convince them not to vote in favour of the ruling when it is brought to the UN General Assembly.