EU opposes legal move against fence

THE EU has written to the world court to express its opposition to the opening of legal action against the West Bank security barrier being built by Israel, diplomats said.

Although the EU repeated its criticism of the barrier, the 15-nation bloc believes the problem needs a political rather than a legal solution and fears the court case could further harm peace efforts.

The EU message was delivered to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, by the Irish government, which holds the EU’s rotating presidency.

The court is to begin hearings on the barrier project on February 23. Despite the move, EU officials repeated their criticism of the barrier itself.

“It does not contribute to peace,” Javier Solana, the EU’s foreign policy representative, said. “There is no doubt between the EU member states about the damage which the security fence is doing to the prospects for a solution,” added EU External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten.

Israel says the 440 miles of fences, walls and trenches are needed to protect against suicide bombers. The Palestinians say the structure amounts to seizure of their land as parts of it cut into the West Bank.