Cabinet to boycott World Court hearing

ISRAEL yesterday said it would boycott a World Court hearing over the legality of a vast barrier it is building in the West Bank.

Top cabinet members made the decision hours after legal advisers recommended Israel stay away from the proceedings set to begin on February 23 in The Hague, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's office said.

"The ministerial team, headed by ... Sharon, decided to make do with the affidavit Israel filed on January 1, stating that the court does not have the authority to hold hearings on the fence," the statement said.

The International Court of Justice, also known as the World Court, agreed to hold hearings in response to a request by the United Nations General Assembly for a non-binding opinion on if Israel is legally obliged to tear down the barrier.

Israel says it is a security fence to keep out Palestinian suicide bombers. Palestinians object to the planned barrier route, slated to cut deep into the West Bank.

They hope for a ruling to exert international pressure on Israel to stop the project.