BEIJING, July 12 -- European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana has criticized Israel for a barrier it is building around Jerusalem.

    Israel's Cabinet on Sunday gave final approval to a separation barrier that would cut off some 55,000 Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem from the rest of the city.

    Israel says the barrier it is building in the West Bank and Jerusalem keeps out Palestinian suicide bombers.

    Solana pointed out that Israel has the right to defend itself but the fence which will stand outside the territory of Israel is not legally proper and it creates also humanitarian problems.

    Solana, arriving Jerusalem for talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, said the Jerusalem barrier would also have a symbolic effect. The city is holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims.

    Palestinians call it a land grab. The World Court declared it illegal a year ago, but Israel has ignored the ruling.

    Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie responded harshly to the Israeli decision, calling it "theft in broad daylight" of land Palestinians seek for the capital of their future state.

    He said this decision makes a farce of any talk about peace and turns the Israel's planned Gaza withdrawal into a useless initiative.     

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)