Palestinians on Sunday shot and injured two settlers in their car near the West Bank city of Ramallah. According to media reports, they sustained light to moderate injuries.
Meanwhile, Israel's Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, and his inner cabinet on Sunday decided to send a letter to the International Court of Justice in The Hague to officially challenge its authority to rule on the legality of the so-called seperation fence.
The Israeli paper, to be forwarded to The Hague by the end of this month, would also argue that Israel needs the barrier as "a self defense measure" against Palestinian attacks.
Earlier it was reported by the Israeli media that the meeting was convened to consider changing the route of the West Bank barrier, which cuts at certain places into Palestinian territory, amid growing concerns Israel will suffer an "embarrassing defeat at the world court" next month.
During the meeting, Justice Minister Joseph Lapid presented a route for the barrier that is 200 kilometers shorter and would stick to the 1948 "Green Line", which separates Israel from the West Bank.
According to Israel's public radio, such a plan would "save some 500 million dollars."
In its current form, the so-called security fence, which Sharon's office now refers to only as "the anti-terror fence", is to stretch 730 kilometers. (Albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
