I don't recall the "Berlin Barrier", wasn't it called the "Berlin Wall"?
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UN demands Israel scrap barrier
Israel insists work on the barrier will continue
The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution demanding that Israel comply with a world court ruling to dismantle its West Bank barrier.
The vote was passed with 150 in favour, 6 opposed and 10 abstentions.
All EU countries voted in support after agreeing changes to the text with Arab states, but the US opposed it.
The resolution, which is non-binding, was drafted after the International Court of Justice ruled the barrier illegally cut into Palestinian land.
The 191-nation General Assembly has no power to force countries to act on its recommendations, but the issue could then go to the Security Council which theoretically has the power to impose economic sanctions.
Guide to the route and structure of the West Bank barrier
At-a-glance
However, the US has spoken out against the ICJ's advisory ruling.
Israeli Ambassador Dan Gillerman denounced the vote, describing it as a "perversion of justice".
"It is simply outrageous to respond with such vigour to a measure that saves lives and responds with such casual indifference and apathy to the ongoing campaign of Palestinian terrorism that takes lives," he said.
Barrier
The Palestinian Authority has said it will delay pushing for a Security Council resolution until after the US presidential elections in November.
Israel has insisted it needs the barrier to stop Palestinian suicide bombers. Opponents say the barrier, which juts into the West Bank, is a ploy to seize land and complicates moves to create a Palestinian state.
Israel says it will comply with an Israeli Supreme Court ruling ordering the 640 km (400 mile) barrier to be re-routed around Jerusalem, but has vowed to continue to press on with construction.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3911785.stm
---------------------------
UN demands Israel scrap barrier
Israel insists work on the barrier will continue
The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution demanding that Israel comply with a world court ruling to dismantle its West Bank barrier.
The vote was passed with 150 in favour, 6 opposed and 10 abstentions.
All EU countries voted in support after agreeing changes to the text with Arab states, but the US opposed it.
The resolution, which is non-binding, was drafted after the International Court of Justice ruled the barrier illegally cut into Palestinian land.
The 191-nation General Assembly has no power to force countries to act on its recommendations, but the issue could then go to the Security Council which theoretically has the power to impose economic sanctions.
Guide to the route and structure of the West Bank barrier
At-a-glance
However, the US has spoken out against the ICJ's advisory ruling.
Israeli Ambassador Dan Gillerman denounced the vote, describing it as a "perversion of justice".
"It is simply outrageous to respond with such vigour to a measure that saves lives and responds with such casual indifference and apathy to the ongoing campaign of Palestinian terrorism that takes lives," he said.
Barrier
The Palestinian Authority has said it will delay pushing for a Security Council resolution until after the US presidential elections in November.
Israel has insisted it needs the barrier to stop Palestinian suicide bombers. Opponents say the barrier, which juts into the West Bank, is a ploy to seize land and complicates moves to create a Palestinian state.
Israel says it will comply with an Israeli Supreme Court ruling ordering the 640 km (400 mile) barrier to be re-routed around Jerusalem, but has vowed to continue to press on with construction.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3911785.stm
