UN urged to act on the ICJ's verdict over Israel

The European Union officials urge the General Assembly of the United Nations to take actions based on the verdict of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), considering the West Bank barrier.

Israel has rejected the decision by the International Court of Justice that the West Bank barrier is illegal and said it will not act on it. Expectedly, Palestinian officials welcomed the ruling and said they will press the issue further at the United Nations.

Palestinian leaders hailed the non-binding decision of the International Court of Justice, which ruled that Israel's West Bank security barrier is illegal and must be dismantled in some areas, reports Voice of America.

In a sharply worded advisory opinion - far harsher than Israel expected - the International Court of Justice said Israel should compensate Palestinians harmed by the structure and return property confiscated for its construction, quotes Guardian Unlimited.

In addition to finding that the barrier violates international law, the court also called for a negotiated peace settlement that would see the establishment of a Palestinian state "as soon as possible."

The 15 international judges were unexpectedly united in backing the majority of the decisions by a vote of 14-1. Only the American judge dissented, in line with Washington's position that the court is not the appropriate venue for considering the security barrier.