The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, ruled Friday in The Hague that the barrier being built by Israel along its border with Palestine is illegal and therefore should be dismantled.

The ruling, read out by ICJ President Shi Jiuyong, said that the construction of the wall is contrary to international law.

"The wall, along the route chosen, and its associated regime, gravely infringe a number of rights of Palestinians residing in the territory occupied by Israel, and the infringements resulting from that route cannot be justified by military exigencies or by the requirements of national security or public order," the ruling says.

The court rule urged the United Nations to follow up with actions, and could heighten Israel's concerns about a move to impose sanctions.

Israel said it would disregard the decision by repeating that the barrier was vital to keeping out suicide bombers.

On Dec. 8, 2003, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution, requesting the ICJ to "urgently render an advisory opinion" on the legal consequences arising from the construction of the wall being built by Israel.