Riwal investigated over Israeli Palestine wall

Netherlands police authorities are reported to have paid an unannounced visit to the Dordrecht head offices of rental company Riwal on Wednesday to investigate claims that the company has been involved in building the separation wall in the Palestinian territories.

It is reported that the Dutch 'Nationale Recherche' force acted after receiving allegations from Amsterdam lawyer Liesbeth Zegveld acting on behalf of Palestinian human rights body Al Haq.

"Based on a report of an unknown party, the Dutch Ministry of Justice searched the Dordrecht head office of Riwal Holding Group yesterday," said Rik Maaskant, Riwal spokesman. "Various paper documents and computer files were taken for further investigation. The actual contents of the investigation are still unclear."

The International Criminal Court of Justice ruled in 2004 that the wall was illegal. Access International understands that the Netherlands Ministry of Justice called for Netherlands companies to play no role in the construction of the walls.

Questions about Riwal's involvement in the building of the wall were first asked in the Netherlands parliament in 2006.

The Israeli West Bank barrier is being constructed mainly in the West Bank and partly along the 1949 Armistice line Green Line between Israel and Palestinian West Bank.