Legal Consequences of Wall Construction in Occupied Palestine

West Bank, July 9, (Pal Telegraph) - it will be the 5th year anniversary of the International Court of Justice's Advisory Opinion regarding the illegality of the separation wall constructed on Palestinian lands by the occupying Israeli forces.

Unfortunately, the ICJ's ruling has been continuously ignored by the Israeli government and the international community even though the Advisory Opinion is clear in its denouncing of the separation wall, and it is clear in its call for Israel to dismantle the separation wall and cease all illegal occupying activities, including demolition of homes, confiscating of lands, and restricting the movement people in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Five years later, it is important to highlight the background and legality of the International Court of Justice and the correlating international laws and conventions. Included in this article are the exact five summary points found by the International Court of Justice. By summarizing the current situation, we can prove, in facts, how the Israeli government has continued its illegal activities against the Palestinian people, even after the clarity of the Advisory Opinion. Finally, we call to the General Assembly to take the Advisory Opinion to the Security Council, on 5th anniversary of the Advisory Opinion, to finally take the correct actions to bring security and justice to the Palestinian people and their lands. The Palestinian people cannot wait another 5 years for action from the United Nations.

International Court of Justice

The International Court of Justice is a critical, judicial arm of the United Nations[1]. The Court’s role is to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies. The United Nations General Assembly and Security Council may request advisory opinions on “any legal question”.

The International Court of Justice is of critical importance because of the silence forced upon the Security Council by the veto power of the permanent members. The Security Council consists of five permanent members who are China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and ten non-permanent members. The permanent members wield consider power since they have veto power; meaning that any of the five members can reject a decision or motion.