ADC Welcomes ICJ Ruling on Israeli Wall
Palestine-USA, Politics, 7/10/2004

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) on Friday welcomed the ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the massive wall structure being constructed by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The Hague-based ICJ has ruled that the wall contravenes international law, it must be dismantled, and compensation must be paid to the Palestinian property owners whose land was confiscated by Israel to build its separation wall.

The court ruling entitled, "Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territories," noted, "The construction of such wall accordingly constitutes breaches by Israel of its various obligations under the applicable international humanitarian law and human rights instruments." It continued to say that the course of the wall will, "gravely infringe a number of rights of Palestinians residing in the territory occupied by Israel."

The court also ruled that Israel must halt construction of the wall and tear down those sections already built inside the West Bank. It added, "Israel is under an obligation to make reparation for all damage caused by the construction of the wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in and around East Jerusalem." It should be noted that parts of the wall constructed within the Green Line are not included in the court's decision.

The ICJ was created in 1946 as the main legal body of the United Nations. The ICJ was asked to rule on the issue of Israel's proposed 400-mile separation wall by a United Nations General Assembly ruling in December 2003. The ruling passed 14-1, with the US judge as the sole opposing vote.

ADC President Mary Rose Oakar said in a press release, "We welcome today's ICJ ruling. In fact, even Israel's own highest court has already ruled that sections of the planned concrete and steel wall must be redrawn because of infringements on the human rights and damage to the lives of Palestinians.

The ICJ has clearly stated that this wall is a gross violation of international law, a violation of human rights, and an obstacle to peace. Rather than constructing physical obstacles to equality and coexistence, we must redouble our efforts to achieve and just and lasting peace, which necessitates ending the occupation, not reinforcing it."

Previous Stories:
  Burns: Israeli Gaza pull out pushes peace forward   (6/28/2004)
  American justifications on Bush statements concerning the Palestinians; One Palestinian was killed   (4/17/2004)
  Palestinians receive American guarantees over peace   (4/12/2004)

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