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UNITED NATIONS, July 16 (PTI): Arabs are holding intensive closed door consultations with the 25-nation European Union to find appropriate language to tell Tel Aviv to honour the verdict of International Court of Justice to stop constructing a security barrier on occupied West bank.
Arabs have enough votes to get the resolution through the 191-member General Assembly which will start discussing the issue later Friday even without EU support.
But they would prefer to have EU on board and keep negative votes and abstentions to the minimum as that would give strength to their move.
Israel and its staunchest ally, the United States, argue that the Court has not taken into consideration the security concerns of Tel Aviv and that the barrier is meant to deter suicide bombers whom the Palestinian authority has failed to rein in.
But the Arabs say that even though the opinion given by the Court is advisory, it has the moral authority and Israel must obey it to uphold the international law.
The Arabs had discussion with EU for the third day straight day today but outcome was not immediately known.
European diplomats say that their support would depend on the incorporation of the suggestions given by them.
Among the issues being discussed are concerns of the Europeans that the draft does not mention anything about implementation of road map for peace in the Middle East prepared by the international Quartet comprising the United States, Russia, European Union and the United Nations.
The road map, which lists steps that two sides must take to restart the peace process, is now more or less derailed.
Some European countries are also uneasy about the resolution not mentioning Israel's security concerns.
Under the Arab draft resolution, the Assembly would reaffirm the illegality of the acquisition of the land for the barrier resulting from "threat or use of force" and call on Switzerland to convene a meeting of the parties to the fourth Geneva Convention to ensure that Israel observes it. Switzerland is keeper of the convention.
The Convention calls for protection of civilians during the war and also bars construction of settlements on the occupied lands.
The Assembly is holding an emergency session at the request of Arabs and non-aligned groups following the Court's ruling that about 600 km of barrier comprising thick walls, razor sharp fences and trenches being constructed by Israel is illegal under international law and parts of already constructed must be dismantled.
The Arabs have moved the Assembly even though its resolutions are not enforceable as it would be impossible to get a draft to Security Council because the United States would use veto unless the draft is to its linking the chances for which are very remote.
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