Israel Not Likely to Tear Down Security Wall, Despite International Court's Decision
by Chad Groening and Jody Brown
July 14, 2004
(AgapePress) - An Israeli government spokesman says the International Court of Justice (ICJ) went beyond its boundary in declaring that Israel must dismantle its security fence, which has proven to be effective in reducing homicide bomber attacks.Israeli security officials says they have begun moving the planned route of the West Bank separation barrier after an Israeli court ruled the government must reduce hardship for Palestinian residents. Only one-fourth of the 425-mile barrier has already been built.
Dr. Alon Ben-Meir is a Middle East expert and professor of international relations at New York University. He says Israel is not going to abide by the ICJ ruling, which calls for the wall to be torn down completely.
"The International Court must consider the security reality in that part of the world," he say. "Ignoring that and merely going on the basis of where presumably the borders have to be drawn is presumptuous at best and inaccurate at worst."
Ben-Meir maintains the security wall would not have been constructed at all had there been no violence and had the homicide bombings stopped before they even started. In that respect, he says the barrier has clearly done its job: "There is no question the wall has been effective."
Dr. Ben-Meir says Israel's position is clear: the security wall will remain in place as along Palestinian terrorist continue to murder Israeli citizens.
In reaction to the ICJ ruling, Congressman Mike Pence of Indiana -- along with two House colleagues -- reintroduced on Tuesday night House Resolution 713, which condemns the ICJ proceeding and reasserts Israel's right to construct the wall for self-defense purposes. Pence says during a January visit to Israel he witnessed firsthand how the wall protects the lives of innocent civilians "each and every day."
When Pence's resolution was first introduced in February, it garnered 163 co-sponsors.
