Israel not complying with General Assembly demand to halt barrier, Annan

Israel is not in compliance with a demand by the United Nations General Assembly to halt and take down a barrier on occupied Palestinian land, and the construction in present circumstances cannot be seen “as anything but a deeply counterproductive act,” Secretary-General Kofi Annan says in a report released yesterday.

Annan cites the following evidence monitored by UN staff on the ground to support his conclusion: ongoing construction along the northeast boundary of the West Bank and Jerusalem; levelling of land; issuance of land requisition orders; release of the first official map showing the planned route and a declaration of intent to complete the barrier by 2005.

State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher said the United States is deducting $289.5 million from its loan guarantees to Israel due to concerns over Israeli settlement building and its construction of a security fence.

"There are substantial amounts being spent on the route of the fence, as well as substantial amounts being spent on settlement activity. And the total that we feel is appropriate to deduct this year is $289.5 million," said Boucher, speaking at the November 26 State Department briefing in Washington.

Meantime, the Plaestinian IPC news agency said today that "A Palestinian policeman was shot dead by the Israeli occupying forces in the Bedouin Village, north of Gaza Strip on Friday and a child was wounded in a separate incident, west of Khan Younis, Palestinian medical and security sources confirmed...eight-year old Ahmed Abu Al Khair, was wounded with a live bullet in the face during the Israeli shelling of Palestinian houses in Al Amal neighborhood, west of Khan Younis"