Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 08/2009

Five years of illegality: Time to dismantle the Wall and respect the rights of Palestinians

Valérie Féron

July 2009

Oxfam Publishing

Abstract

After five years of illegality, it is time to dismantle the Wall and respect the rights of Palestinians. In an advisory opinion, rendered on 9 July 2004, the International Court of Justice stated that Israel’s construction of the Wall in the occupied Palestinian Territory was illegal and called for its immediate dismantling. Five years later, the advisory opinion has been met only by inaction: Israel continues constructing the Wall and the international community remains silent. Oxfam International underscores the urgency of addressing this situation in a compilation of testimonies that is published today.