Israeli fence violates world law, says Solana

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said yesterday that Israel's West Bank separation barrier violates international law, during a visit to the Jewish state.

Mr Solana's comments came just two days after the European Union infuriated Israeli leaders by supporting a UN General Assembly resolution calling on Israel to tear down the barrier in compliance with a world court ruling.

"A country has the right to build a fence on its own territory but we believe the route of this fence is contrary to international law," Mr Solana said during a joint news conference with Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom.