Five Year Anniversary of ICJ Ruling Declaring West Bank Wall to be IllegalToday is the five year anniversary of the landmark ruling by the International Court of Justice declaring the 724 km separation barrier that Israel is building in the West Bank to be illegal. According to the Ma'an News Agency, the court gave the following guidelines for Israel in its ruling:
the wall's construction is illegal; Israel must terminate construction immediately, dismantle the sections already built and return confiscated properties; and Palestinians affected by the construction must be compensated. The court further stated that all states are under an obligation not to recognize the illegal situation resulting from its construction or to render aid or assistance maintaining the situation created by such construction.Over fifty-eight percent of the wall is currently completed, and another 10.2% is still currently under construction. It is 8m high, 100m wide, features sniper towers, and about 8.5% of the West Bank and East Jerusalem will be on the Israeli side of the wall. It stretches as far as 22km into the West Bank.
The ruling five years ago was reached by a verdict of 14-1, with the court calling the wall "de fact annexation." Yasser Arafat said at the time that the ruling was a "victory for the Palestinian people."
Thus far, Israel has not responded positively to any of the recommendations. Israel refused to recognize the 2004 ruling. The Israeli Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, did not comment on the ruling, though in the past the government has stated that the wall has reduced instances of suicide bombings within Israel. The Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon denied the barrier harmed Palestinians, saying "There is no impact of the security fence on economic activities."
At the time, both the United States and United Kingdom opposed the ruling, though the General Assembly voted 150-6 in support. However, Oxfam's calls for "further action" by the international community has thus far gone unanswered.
To mark the anniversary, the United Nations released a statement, saying that the completed barrier would close in 35,000 Palestinians and wall off another 125,000 on three sides. About 2.4 million Palestinians live in the West Bank. In anticipation of a full report by the UN to be released later this month on the full humanitarian impact of the wall, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, had the following comments:
The wall is but one element of the wider system of severe restrictions on the freedom of movement imposed by the Israeli authorities on Palestinian residents of the West Bank. . .[Israel must] dismantle the wall [and] make reparations for all damage suffered by all persons affected by the wall's construction.HEADLINES
Palestinians reject Netanyahu's 'economic peace' plan (Haaretz)
Water shortages plague West Bank (BBC)
US Denies Deal With Israel On Settlements Saying It’s “Inaccurate” (Palestine Media Center)
EC backs down over settlement statement, apologizes to Israel (Ma'an)
Israel to allow 24-hour West Bank crossing (Reuters)
Palestine and the Palestinians
Palestinian Infighting Leads to Deterioration in Media Freedoms (The Media Line)
Palestinians say Israel grab threatens seas project (Reuters)
Ongoing Palestinian rift won't help Shalit's release (Xinhua)
PFLP: Members support unity with frequent milti-party meetings in Gaza (Ma'an)
PA forces preside over mass wedding for officers in Jenin (Ma'an)
Israel
Israeli general hails 2006 war as 'just' (Daily Star)
Netanyahu aide: There is no Palestinian leadership (AP)
Netanyahu adviser raises "MAD" nuclear scenario (Reuters)
Netanyahu aide: Israel failed on Iran, Obama committed to our security (Haaretz)
Israeli president: two-state solution approved in Israel (Xinhua)
Planeload of olim lands in Israel (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
The Neighbors
Egypt arrests Palestinian-led terror cell over plot to strike Suez (Haaretz)
Egypt official charged with Shalit case visits Ramallah (Ha'aretz)
Sarkozy: Assad has 'kept commitments' on Lebanon (Daily Star)
US Foreign Policy
US, UAE nuclear deal would end if terms violated (AP)
US to resettle 1,350 Iraqi-Palestinian refugees (The Jerusalem Post)
Despite splits, U.S. still arms Israel (UPI)
International Relations/Law
European Jewish leaders meet Polish president (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Serbia thanks Abbas for backing on Kosovo (AFP)
China to develop non-oil trade with Middle East (The National)
France: 4 Jews suspected of attacking Palestinian store (Ynet)
President: Cyprus supports Palestinian cause, two-state solution (Xinhua)
Arts and Activism
Jo Amar, Genre-Blending Jewish Singer, Dies at 79 (New York Times)
Misc.
Israel seeks first Davis Cup semi (Sports Illustrated)
Dead Sea advances in natural wonders contest (JTA)
Commentary
Obama: Obama and Palestine (Wall Street Journal)
Hijab: Palestinian Titanic (Agence Global)
It would be dangerous for Obama to play with the fine print on settlements (Daily Star)
Levy: Netanyahu's 'weakness' is good for Israel (Haaretz)
Harel: Why Israel Won`t evacuate West Bank outposts (Palestine Media Center)
Rabich: Legal consequences of wall construction in Occupied Palestine (Palestine Telegraph)
Shavit: Outposts for blocs (Haaretz)
Rosner: Does Obama understand Israeli politics? (Jerusalem Post)
Avnery: Israeli court rebukes military (Counterpunch)
Johnstone: Zionist fanatics pracrice serial vandalism in Paris (Counterpunch)
Views expressed on this post or on linked web pages do not represent the Palestine Center, the educational program of the Jerusalem Fund for Education and Community Development. All content is for educational purposes only.
