MIDDLE EAST: Palestinians won more support yesterday in their World Court battle against Israel's separation barrier. But the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr Ariel Sharon, dismissed the hearings as an "international circus" and vowed to keep building fences.
On the second day of the three-day hearing yesterday, Jordan argued that Israel's West Bank barrier risked triggering an exodus of Palestinian refugees into its neighbouring state. Jordan is leading Arab opposition to the security barrier, which is part wall, part fence. But unlike other states, Jordan views it as a direct threat.
Prince Zeid bin Raad, Jordan's ambassador to the United Nations, told the court Jordan feared a destabilising influx of Palestinians from the West Bank if the situation there got worse. "My country already hosts a large number of refugees and displaced persons. We are faced with the threat of a new wave of refugees as a result of the wall's construction," he said.
Twelve countries so far have backed the Palestinians' case against the barrier Israel is building in and around occupied territory.
Cuba, whose own human rights record is the target of criticism, went as far as saying that the barrier posed the potential for "human catastrophe" - perhaps even the "extermination and genocide" of the Palestinian people. Indonesia, the most populous Muslim country, called on the court to declare the structure illegal.
Fifteen parties are presenting arguments during three days of oral submissions. The US, EU members and other Western countries didn't take part in the oral hearings. Although they condemn the construction of the barrier, they support Israel's position that the World Court isn't the proper forum to discuss the wall.
As the arguments proceeded yesterday, it became apparent that the participants hoped to put Israel's 37-year occupation, not just its barrier, on trial.
Malaysia's Foreign Minister, Mr Syed Hamid Albar, said: "Assuming the wall is being constructed in order to protect Israeli citizens within Israel, the wall should be built on Israeli territory."