Switzerland says Israel breaking international law

       Country guarding Geneva Convention slams Israel for destroying illegal structures in West Bank, which it regards 'as violations of international humanitarian law'; also calls east Jerusalem 'integral part of occupied Palestinian territory'. Switzerland accused Israel on Thursday of wantonly destroying Palestinian homes in east Jerusalem and near Ramallah in violation of the Geneva Conventions' rules on military occupation. The Swiss Foreign Ministry demanded that Israel immediately halt the demolitions, which Israel has said are aimed at removing illegally constructed shacks. An Israeli Embassy spokeswoman in the Swiss capital of Bern said the decision to remove the structures was "not an arbitrary decision," but was sanctioned by law. "This demolition of houses was done under a court order," embassy spokeswoman Shlomit Sufa said Thursday. Sufa said the Israeli government "regrets" that phrasing in the Swiss statement, noting the status of east Jerusalem and other territories is still subject to a final peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinian authorities. Switzerland – as the guardian of the Geneva Conventions – can call meetings of the treaty's signatories if it finds problems with its implementation, but does not have any special powers to enforce the document. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lars Knuchel said the demolitions violated the 1949 Geneva Conventions, regarded as the cornerstone of international law on the obligations of warring and occupying powers. (23,30)