ISRAEL

Scotsman: Israel Rejects Demand to Take Down Wall

Israel’s vice minister today rejected an overwhelming call by the United Nations to dismantle a massive barrier being built along the line with the West Bank and inside parts of the territory.


The fence will continue to be built,” said Ehud Olmert, dismissing the UN General Assembly as hostile to the Jewish state.

Israel says the wall is necessary to keep suicide bombers out of the country. The Palestinians say Israel is using the barrier as a pretext to take Palestinian land.

In Jerusalem, Israel’s police minister visited the main holy site in the city. It was the first high-level tour of the compound since Israeli-Palestinian fighting erupted there three years ago.

The visit ended without incident, although Palestinians criticised it as a provocation.

Violence continued to flare in the West Bank and Gaza today. Israeli troops shot and killed three Palestinian militants in a series of raids and clashes. Two Jewish settlers and two Palestinians were also wounded in the violence

Olmert, speaking to Israel Radio, dismissed the resolution as an example of the world’s hostility toward Israel. "Boese Boese Welt"

Asked if Israel would stop building the barrier, Olmert laughed and told the radio presenter, “You have a sense of humour.”