World Court hearings on building of wall in Palestinian territory set for February

The principle judicial body of the United Nations today decided to open hearings next February on the legal consequences of Israel's construction of a separation barrier in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Issuing an order in response to a request from the General Assembly for an advisory opinion on the matter, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) also ruled that written statements should be submitted by 30 January 2004. In addition to UN Member States, Palestine was invited to provide documents to the Court.