Fifty-five Arab states including Afghanistan and Cameron can now testify against the security fence through the Organization of the Islamic Conference when the contentious case comes before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague on February 23, the court ruled on Thursday.
The decision follows an ICJ ruling by the ICJ last week that the Arab League may testify.
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While the government has stated its opposition to the case and is working to prevent it from being brought to trial, it has held its specific strategy close to its chest.
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The Palestinian Authority has recruited a team of ten international lawyers from various countries who are working with the PA's legal advisors on the case. The PA's UN observer Nasser al Kidra will head the team to the Hague. Palestinian official have no doubt that the court will state that the fence's routing is illegal.
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Russia has not yet decided what they will do , but assured Shaath "that they oppose the fence and will work against this unilateral action," even if they stay away from the Hague, Khalidi said.
The Eu is divided on the issue. Britain and Germany are among the countries which opposed going to the Hague. The EU therefore decided on Tuesday that each country will take its own decision.
Kahlidi said the Palestinians expect some European states to join the petition to the Hague.
The US has not said what they will do, but Palestinian officials believe America will continue to oppose the routing of the fence without presenting an opinion to the Hague.
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They argue that the fence is a permanent structure which pre-determines borders rather than offer protection to Israeli from Palestinian suicide bombers.
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Israel has not yet decided whether to send anyone to the court to present an oral statement but it is sending it written statements as to why the case should not be heard by the January 30 deadline.
It is taking the matter seriously nonetheless. It is negotiating with two international public relations firms to help it craft its message during the propaganda battle that is sure to accompany the proceedings.
Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz has spoken to the Israelis. British international law expert Daniel Bethlehem is helping craft an argument as to why the case should not be heard.
Israel is also working a quick image boost by changing the name to the 'anti-terrorism fence,' to combat propagandistic phrases that opponents are using to describe the fence, such as 'the Berlin Wall' or the 'apartheid wall.'
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1074745159500So much for world justice at the Hague.
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