The Palestinian Authority said on Thursday it found no evidence to support suspicions raised by legislators that Palestinian firms supplied cement used in the construction of Israel's controversial West Bank barrier. "Our investigation found no evidence cement was sold in the Israeli market or that it was used in the building of the separation wall," Attorney-General Hussein Abu A'asi told a news conference. Legislators Hassan Khreisha and Jamal al-Shati, members of a parliamentary panel that investigated the issue, condemned A'asi's decision. "We had provided evidence that some cement was sold to the Israeli market," Shati said. "That in itself was a national crime that harmed our image as a people and as an Authority." Palestinians have condemned the barrier Israel is constructing on occupied territory in the West Bank as a land grab that has caused hardship for tens of thousands of people. The International Court of Justice has said the barrier is illegal, but Israel says it helps prevent Palestinian suicide bombings in its cities. --SP 2350 Local Time 2050 GMT
