14 February 2004	Saturday	22 Zilhaj 1424

TEL AVIV, Feb 13: Israeli officials said on Friday they expect the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to rule against Israel's West Bank separation barrier, a day after the government decided to boycott its hearings.

Justice Minister Yossef Lapid "anticipates a negative ruling for Israel but still believed that government representative should attend the hearings" at The Hague, his spokesman Tashi Moshe said.

Mr Lapid was the only member of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's 23-strong cabinet to disagree with its decision on Thursday to boycott the hearings on the grounds the world court did "not have the authority" to rule on the barrier's legality.

"The team of ministers, under Prime Minister Sharon, decided the declaration that Israel submitted on Jan 30 is enough," ahead of the hearings which open on Feb 23, the premier's office said.

Mr Moshe said Mr Lapid "also contends that the court does not have any authority to rule over this question, but he thinks Israel must not let its enemies take advantage of the situation" by staying away from the hearings.

While also predicting a negative verdict by the world court, whose rulings are non-binding, an official at the state prosecutor's office said Israeli participation would not have changed anything.

"I don't think that because we won't be there, the judges will formulate a position against us." She said Israel was trying to prevent the hearing - called at the request of the United Nations General Assembly - from turning into a political event.

The government's boycott, however, does not mean Israel will have no voice at The Hague. The foreign ministry is considering sending press officers to defend the Israeli position on the sidelines of the hearing. Israeli and Jewish organizations will also hold demonstrations in The Hague. -AFP