OIC wants to participate in International Court of Justice deliberations on separation fence

The Jeddah-based organization of Islamic conference (OIC) has asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to participate in deliberations over the separation fence being constructed by Israel in the Palestinian territories.

The 55-member country pan-Islamic Organization has sent a letter to the international court of justice, expressing its desire to take part in deliberations following the decision of the United Nations' general assembly that pressured the Court to rule on the legal repercussions of the fence construction in the occupied territories, including eastern Al-Qods.

The Hague-based court will start its proceeding on February 23.

In addition, OCI has called on all its member countries to submit a note on their views on the fence construction, insisting that their participation is of a major importance in such a crucial and urgent issue.

The fence, described as "security barrier" by Israelis and "apartheid fence" by Palestinians, is constructed through the West Bank and around the east of Al Qods.

The wall will carve up the occupied territory and annex Palestinian land and water resources to Israel, leaving the native population in separated ghetto-like enclaves, isolated from their fields and largely without water.

Palestinians have been complaining that that fence does not only involve the confiscation of Palestinian lands, but the destruction of Palestinian livelihoods, and the illegal, de facto annexation of expansive areas of occupied Palestinian land.