Israel Will not Recognize ICJ’s ‘Wall’ Decision

This Friday the ICJ is expected to render its decision on the legitimacy of the security wall that is being built by Israel in an attempt to completely cut off the West Bank from the other occupied territories. The United Nations (UN) had brought the issue to the agenda of the ICJ after there was a large public outcry opposing the construction of the wall.

Shalom spoke to journalists before a meeting at the White House and said that Israel would not accept any foreign interference, including that of the international court. Shalom further explained that the issue could only be discussed between Israel and Palestine and possibly countries that support the peace process.

Salom said the wall will serve to guard against future terrorist attacks. He claimed that the security wall would be brought down if the Israeli Supreme Court ruled against it or if the peace process finally came to a conclusion. "Human life cannot be brought back, but the wall can be," he added.

The Israeli Supreme Court last week decided that the construction of the security wall needed to be revised since a 30km section of the wall was making it extremely difficult for Palestinians to carry out their lives as normal. The section in question has cut off many Palestinian families from their farms, work places and schools.

The ICJ’s decision regarding the security wall will not be binding on Israel. However, Israel is worried that some members of the UN General Council may try to impose sanctions on Israel. To head off such an occurrence, Shalom demanded that the White House to do its best in order to prevent such a decision from coming out of the UN.

The Washington administration vetoed a decision last October that claimed that wall ran afoul of international law and that its construction should therefore be stopped.

The Israeli administration regards the project as a complementary part of a unilateral plan that includes withdrawing from Gaza. However, many in the international arena regard the wall as a ‘shame wall’ or ‘Berlin Wall’.