Join ADC
Home
About ADC
Our Staff
Media Desk
All Press Releases
Press Releases
Publications
Legal Section
Education
Feedback
Government Affairs
Search

SUPPORT ADC
 
ADC FACTSHEET
  The illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian land
is the foremost obstacle to peace.
Learn more >>


ADC Press Release:


ADC Welcomes
ICJ Ruling on Israeli Wall


Washington, DC, July 9 -- The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) welcomes today's ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the massive wall structure being constructed by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories.  The 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, located in The Hague, Netherlands, 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, "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 a just and lasting peace, which necessitates ending the occupation, not reinforcing it."




WHAT'S NEW





E-MAIL UPDATES

Subscribe
UnSubscribe
 
DONATE
Your donation will help ADC correct stereotypes. Go >
 
ABOUT US | CURRENT ISSUES | MEDIA DESK | LEGAL SECTION | EDUCATION AND OUTREACH | JOIN ADC
© ADC 2003 All rights reserved.