JERUSALEM, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Monday Jordan could be the loser if it continues opposing Israel at the International Court of Justice.
The court in the Hague has given Israel 20 days to show explain why it is preventing the opening of gates in the fence and is barring Palestinian farmers from reaching their lands at reasonable hours throughout the day.
Speaking at a Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee discussion on the West Bank security fence, Sharon said Amman fears erecting the controversial fence would cause thousands of Palestinians to emigrate to Jordan, Ha'aretz reported.
The International Court of Justice is scheduled to hold a hearing on the fence next month, as a result of several petitions, among them one from the Association for Civil Rights in Israel.
The Knesset committee meeting was held in part to discuss Israel's response to the court.
Sharon said the Israeli government will examine already constructed portions of the fence for ways to reduce the burden they impose on nearby Palestinian villages, and may consider changing the route of portions that have not yet been built.
