Israel barrier violates resolution, says UN

ISRAEL was yesterday found in violation of a UN resolution demanding it halt construction of a barrier that in places juts deep into the West Bank and dismantle the section already built.

In a report to the General Assembly, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said the construction of the barrier a network of fences, walls, razor wire and trenches was in violation of international law and "could damage the longer-term prospects for peace."

Annan's report was requested by the resolution demanding that Israel tear down the barrier it says is needed to protect Israelis from suicide bombers.

The barrier would extend 320 miles from north to south. A completed section about 90 miles is a permanent-looking complex of fences, trenches, walls and security roads.

Palestinians say the structure is a land grab by Israel ahead of possible talks about the borders of a Palestinian state. The wall runs roughly parallel to the West Bank's border with Israel, sometimes cutting deep into Palestinian territory to incorporate large Jewish settlements into the Israeli side.

The resolution, which the 191 nation body passed overwhelmingly last month, is not legally binding, but it does not rule out further UN action against Israel should it be found in violation of the world body's demands.

Palestinians reacted angrily at Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's warning Israel might seize land if peace negotiations fail, though Sharon also said Israel must give up territory for peace.

The Palestinians, who claim all of the West Bank and Gaza Strip for a state, responded to Sharon's warning of impatience and annexation with a sharp rebuke. Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Sha'ath said. "He (Sharon) should declare he is committed to the road map and implement all the Israeli commitments."

Sharon made clear he will not fully abide by a road-map requirement that Israel dismantle the scores of West Bank settlement outposts, many of them no more than a few trailer homes established in recent years.

Sharon has also ignored the road map's call for a freeze on construction in the 150 veteran Jewish settlements where about 220,000 settlers live.