Israel's Security Fence
and the International Court of Justice
As information becomes available regarding Israel's Security Fence and the International Court of Justice, you will find links to current news from this page. Please check back often as this site will be updated frequently.
News and Opinion
This fence may be key to peace
Rachelle Cohen - Boston Herald - March 7, 2005
Court rejects petition against Beit Sourik fence
Jerusalem Post - March 6, 2005
Court rejects petition to reroute Bethlehem fence
Yedioth Ahronoth - March 2, 2005
UK protests Ma'aleh Adumim fence route
Jerusalem Post - March 1, 2005
Israel’s fence makes peace with Palestinians possible
Charles Krauthammer, The State, SC – Feb 25, 2005
State condemns ICJ fence ruling as 'biased'
Jerusalem Post - Feb 23, 2005
Construction of fence 'fingernails' set to begin
Jerusalem Post - Feb 23, 2005
Revised fence murky on Ariel
Jerusalem Post - Feb 21, 2005
Separation fence budget to be determined shortly
Globes - Feb 21, 2005
Analysis: Legal implications of new route
Jerusalem Post - Feb 20, 2005
PLO Exec. Comm. slams security fence
Jerusalem Post - Feb 20, 2005
PM to use pullout vote to neutralize criticism of fence
Ha'aretz - February 15, 2005
PM rejects Norwegian call to stop building fence
Jerusalem Post - Feb 13, 2005
Fence construction to remain frozen in east Jerusalem pocket
Jerusalem Post - February 9, 2005
Whose Fence is it Anyway?
Ha'aretz - February 9, 2005
Legal Barriers
Jerusalem Post - January 25, 2005
Scholars blast ICJ barrier ruling
Jerusalem Post - January 16, 2005
UN Creation of Register for Fence Claims Raises Ire
Jerusalem Post - January 13, 2005
Court Halts Fence Construction
Jerusalem Post - January 13, 2005
Israel Readying Plan to Facilitate Movement Across Separation Fence
Globes - January 12, 2005
Lessons of the Gaza Security Fence for the West Bank
JCPA.org - December 22, 2004
Second fence to be built around Gaza
Jerusalem Post- December 22, 2004
Sharon Wants Gush Etzion Inside Fence
Haaretz - December 14, 2004
Security Fence off World's Agenda - For Now
Jerusalem Post - December 9, 2004
Israel to mount diplomatic blitz ahead of UN meeting
Haaretz - September 20, 2004
EU opposed to more talks on fence at UN
Haaretz - September 15, 2004
Israeli city says barrier is 'working'
BBC - September 14, 2004
German Minister Justifies Israeli Barrier
Deutsche Welle - September 14, 2004
Weisglass presents new fence route to US officials
Jerusalem Post - September 14, 2004
Entire barrier path being examined based on court criteria
Maariv International - September 12, 2004
Fence near Taibeh to be rebuilt
Haaretz - September 10, 2004
Fenced In
Mark Dubowitz - National Review Online
- September 9, 2004
Israel takes criticism of separation wall seriously - Russian FM
Interfax - Spetember 9, 2004
Mofaz calls for inclusion of Gush Etzion bloc inside fence
Haaretz - September 8, 2004 (with partial revised
map)
Sharon approves new fence route
Jerusalem Post - September 8, 2004
Where is the security fence?
Jerusalem Post - August 31, 2004
Judicial interference
Jerusalem Post
- August 28, 2004
Shalom says Europe should be more balanced
Maariv International - August 27, 2004
Make Our Case
Jerusalem Post - August 23, 2004
Israel approves barrier rerouting
Reutuers - August 23, 2004
Justice Ministry defends its report on ICJ ruling
Haaretz - August 23, 2004
A New Legal Reality for the Fence
Haaretz - August 22, 2004
AG: ICJ fence ruling may lead to sanctions against Israel
Haaretz - August 21, 2004
A-G: Cabinet should approve each new fence section
Jerusalem Post - August 19, 2004
Separation fence sparks Vatican holy sites concern
Haaretz - August 19, 2004
New route of separation fence to be presented in September
Haaretz - August 17, 2004
High Court to hear petitions against fence route
Jerusalem Post - August 16, 2004
EU may vote for Israel sanctions
Jerusalem Post - August 12, 2004
Protesting The Fence’s New Path
The Jewish Week - August 6, 2004
A Tale of Justice
The Forward - August 6, 2004
Israel's security barrier could use tweaking, not a wrecking ball
Amitai Etzioni - USA Today - August 3, 2004
Comparative Advantages
Mortimer B. Zuckerman - U.S. News and World Report - August 2, 2004
In Their Own Words
Malcolm I. Hoenlein - Jerusalem Post - July 26, 2004
Hoenlein supports security barrier
Maariv International - July 26, 2004
New fence route 'not security wise'
Jerusalem Post - July 26, 2004
Who's Defying the World Court?
James S. Tisch - The Jewish Week - July 23, 2004
U.N. vote on barrier is an embarrassment
Miami Herald - July 22, 2004
The UN's blinkers
The Globe and Mail - July 22, 2004
Right Of Self-Defense
Investor's Business Daily - July 22, 2004
This infamous act
Jerusalem Post - July 21, 2004
White House Dismisses UN Ruling on West Bank Barrier
Voice of America/The White House - July 21, 2004
Israel chides EU on barrier vote
BBC - July 21, 2004
France ‘pleased’ at UN call to dismantle West Bank barrier
Agence France Presse - July 21, 2004
Despite Vote in U.N., Israel Vows to Proceed With Barrier
New York Times - July 21, 2004
The U.N. handicaps Israel, along with the rest of us.
Anne Bayefsky - National Review - July 17, 2004
US House of Representatives 'Deplores Misuse of ICJ'
Text of House Res. 713 - July 15, 2004
My Tale of Two Courts
Arthur Lenk - The Guardian - July 15, 2004
US Slams 'Misuse' of ICJ
Jerusalem Post - July 15, 2004
UN General Assembly to debate fence ruling
Jerusalem Post - July 15, 2004
Netanyahu: No fear of UN sanctions
Jerusalem Post - July 15, 2004
Australian FM Condemns ICJ opinion
Sydney Morning Herald - July 15, 2004
For Israel, no justice from International Court
Mark Rotenberg - Minneapolis Star Tribune - July 15, 2004
ICJ to Israel: Drop Dead
Saul Singer - Jerusalem Post - July 15, 2004
Court Share UN anti-Israel Bias
Jeff Robbins - Boston Globe - July 14, 2004
Why Israel Needs a Fence
Benjamin Netanyahu - New York Times - July 13, 2004
'Lawfare'
Jeremy Rabkin - Wall Street Journal - July 13, 2004
Fence Gives Israel Chance for Peace
David Makovsky - Newsday - July 13, 2004
Two messages from The Hague
Ze'ev Schiff - Haaretz - July 13, 2004
Mr. Sharon, Build This Wall
Dick Morris - New York Post - July 13, 2004
International Court ignores the basic need of security
Steven Lubet - Detroit Free Press - July 13, 2004
Court documents reflect hard battles, hesitations,
by judges behind the scene - AP - July 13, 2004
Military cartographers begin moving route of West Bank
separation barrier closer to Israel - AP - July 13, 2004
A New U.N. Assault on Israel
Wall Street Journal - July 12, 2004
Judges' ruling rewrites UN Charter on self-defence
Leanne Piggott - The Australian
The fence: a ruling to mourn
David Matas - Globe and Mail - July 12, 2004
New fence route to run close to the Green Line
Haaretz - July 5, 2004
Sharon pledges to respect court decision on barrier
Maariv International - July 4, 2004
'No Security Without Law'
Wall Street Journal Europe - July 2, 2004
New fence route planned around Jerusalem
Jerusalem Post - July 2, 2004
Fence ruling won't sway The Hague
Jerusalem Post - July 1, 2004
Israel to reroute West Bank barrier
Telegraph - June 30, 2004
Israeli Court Orders Changes to Barrier in West Bank
New York Times - June 30, 2004
World Court to Rule on Israel Barrier on July 9
Reuters - June 25, 2004
Mideast security barrier working
Washington Times - June 25, 2004
Flawed Proceedings in the Hague
Jewish Journal of Los Angeles - June 25, 2004
Israeli Arabs credit fence for newfound prosperity
Jerusalem Post - June 18, 2004
Double fence near airport shelved
Jerusalem Post - June 15, 2004
The End of the Intifada?
Wall Street Journal Europe - June 11, 2004
Between the State and Land of Israel
Jerusalem Post - June 11, 2004
Work begins on new section of Jerusalem barrier
Jerusalem Post - June 9, 2004
Nightlife, in Jenin?
Jerusalem Post - June 4, 2004
The man behind the fence
Jerusalem Post - June 2, 2004
'In the last five months, we've had zero attacks'
Jerusalem Post - June 1, 2004
Finally, Good News in Mideast
David Brooks - New York Times - May 22, 2004
Jerusalem fence 'will take years'
Jerusalem Post - May 16, 2004
Israeli barrier 'saving lives
AFP - May 8, 2004
The West Bank Fence: A Vital Component in Israel's Strategy of Defense
Maj. Gen. Doron Almog - Washington Institute for Near East Policy - April 2004
New issue, same old anti-Israel United Nations
James S. Tisch - NY Daily News - March 15, 2004
The UN's anti-Israel theater is playing a new venue: The UN's International Court of Justice is hearing the case of Israel's security fence. The judges may be unbiased, but the question brought to them by the General Assembly is nothing more than the UN's routine discriminatory treatment of Israel dressed up in lawyers' robes and wigs. Same music, same lyrics, new costumes.
Israel wants U.S. endorsement of fence
Aluf Benn - Haaretz - March 31, 2004
Israel has asked the U.S. to provide official endorsement of the separation fence route, as part of the "benefits basket" which is to be provided in exchange for the implementation of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's separation plan.
Israel prepares for the ‘day after' court's fence ruling
Rachel Pomerance - JTA - March 16, 2004
No one knows exactly when the International Court of Justice will issue its verdict on Israel's West Bank security barrier, but advocates for the Jewish state already are planning for the “day after.”
Israel to Cut 110 Miles from W.Bank Barrier -Source
Allyn Fisher-Ilan - Reuters - March 10, 2004
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, in a move to please Washington, has ordered a cut of 110 miles to the route of Israel's controversial West Bank barrier, a senior political source said on Wednesday.
Peace Index / Most Israelis support the fence, despite Palestinian suffering
Ephraim Yaar and Tamar Hermann - Haaretz - March 3, 2004
The construction of the separation fence is overwhelmingly supported by the Israeli-Jewish public, despite the internal debate and the international pressure against it. The support for the fence is based on the widespread assessment that it can significantly reduce terror attacks, though only a small minority believe it can prevent them completely.
PM adviser: no plans for `eastern fence' in West Bank
Amnon Barzilai- Haaretz - March 3, 2004
Israel does not plan to build a separation fence in the eastern part of the West Bank because of the likely negative political fallout in the international arena, the man who heads the team plotting the route of the fence told Haaretz on Tuesday.
Blame terror, not fence, for no peace
Jonathan Gurwitz - Seattle Post-Intelligencer- March 2, 2004
By now you may have read about the security fence. The one a powerful Middle Eastern nation is building to keep terrorists from crossing a porous border that separates it from an unstable, radical neighbor. The fence intended to keep extremists from blowing up civilians. The fence that spans 45 miles and may intrude as much as four miles into the territory of the powerful nation's smaller and weaker neighbor.No, not the fence Israel is erecting to keep suicide bombers out of its cities and towns. This fence is the one Saudi Arabia began building last fall along its border with Yemen.
Israel gearing up for 'day after' Hague decision
Herb Keinon - Jerusalem Post - March 2, 2004
With the hearings on the security fence at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague over, Israel is now planning how to deal with the day after the court renders its judgment.
The International Court of Justice and Israel’s Anti-Terror Fence: Using the U.N. System to Delegitimize Israel -- Again
The Anti-Defamation League - February 25, 2004
On December 8, 2003, the United Nations General Assembly (GA), in a special emergency session adopted a Palestinian-initiated resolution sending the issue of Israel's security barrier to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague for an advisory opinion on the question: "What are the legal consequences arising from the construction of the wall being built by Israel, the occupying Power, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory."
Terrorism on Trial But not inside the U.N.'s Court at the Hague
Richard W. Carlson & Mark Dubowitz - National Review - February 26, 2004
A light snow was falling on the International Court of Justice in the Hague, an imposing building in a fenced, park-like setting. TV cameras perched on the front lawn as hundreds of demonstrators, gathered in front of the blackened shell of an Israeli municipal bus and read aloud the names of 935 Israelis, mostly noncombatant citizens — Christians, Druze, and Muslims, as well as Jews — who have been murdered in the last two years in attacks by terrorists in Israel's public places.
A Fence Goes on Trial
Jeff Chu - Time Magazine - February 29, 2004
The home of the international Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague is called the Peace Palace. But last week, as the court held three days of hearings on the legality of the security barrier Israel is building to keep out suicide bombers, war was in the air.
Comment: Human rights the court missed
Anne Bayefsky - The Jerusalem Post - February 25, 2004
The hearing this week in the International Court of Justice is ostensibly to advise the UN General Assembly on the "legal consequences" of Israel's security fence. But the UN itself, through a report by Secretary-General Kofi Annan and a General Assembly resolution, has already detailed the harm done to the Palestinians, and pronounced against the fence's legality.
White Paper on the International Court of Justice and the Israeli "Fence"
Ruth Wedgwood - The Foundation for the Defense of Democracies
February 23, 2004
The conspicuous absence of the major states from the hearing on the Israeli fence now being held in the Hague – all of Europe, the United States, Russia, Japan, and China – should be taken by the International Court of Justice as a sign of the dangers of going forward. Interference with the Road Map peace process, the implicit challenge to the authority of the Security Council, the one-sided characterization of the human equities at stake, and the unavailability of necessary fact-finding, make this dangerous ground for the Court. We should preserve the integrity of international courts for circumstances where they can make a genuine contribution. This is not such a case.
Israel to Stage Alternative Barrier Hearings as Jordan Backs Palestinian Case
AFP - February 24, 2004
Israel was to stage its own alternative to the world court hearings on its West Bank barrier, as neighbouring Jordan threw its weight behind efforts by the Palestinians to have the project declared illegal.
Pro-Fence Ads Being Shown on U.S. TV
Melissa Radler - Jerusalem Post - February 24, 2004
In an effort to garner public support for the security fence, a series of 30-second TV ads featuring mothers whose children were killed by suicide bombers began airing on CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC in the Washington area last week, sponsored by The Israel Project.
DSS Chief Dichter Justifies Barrier
Arik Benter - Maariv International - February 24, 2004
In his semi-annual briefing to members of the Knesset’s Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee, GSS Director Avi Dichter, said that terror operations occur only in areas where the security barrier has yet to have been completed.
A Fence That Makes Sense
David Makovsky - L.A. Times - February 24, 2004*
Mohammed Zuul, 23, blew himself up Sunday on a bus in the middle of Jerusalem, killing eight other people and wounding 50 more. The attack came on the eve of hearings in The Hague on whether Israel had the right to construct a fence to protect itself from assaults like these.Zuul came from the village of Husan in the West Bank. His was the 10th "successful" suicide bomb attack from the Bethlehem area since violence began in the fall of 2000. *Please Note: Free Registration is Required at the L.A. Times website to read this article.
The Ill-Advised Advisory
Ruth Wedgwood - Wall Street Journal, reprinted at Benador Associates
February 19, 2004
The sullen debates of the U.N. General Assembly rarely crack the headlines. Working groups, subcommittees and regional caucuses meet in basement rooms, and at most, produce "resolutions" -- non-binding ones, of course.
Building a Freedom Fence
Mortimer B. Zuckerman - U.S. News and World Report - February 23, 2004
In a stunning policy reversal, prime minister Ariel Sharon announced a unique plan for unilateral disengagement from the Palestinians. If the Palestinian leadership does not make good on its security pledges within a few months, Israel, of its own initiative, will evacuate virtually all of its settlements from the Gaza Strip and another group from the West Bank. This proposal, never before put forward by any Israeli prime minister, has convulsed Israeli politics.
Poll: Americans support security fence
Melissa Radler - Jerusalem Post - February 11, 2004
An overwhelming majority of Americans back Israel's right to build a security fence to halt terrorism inside Israel, according to a new opinion poll released by the Washington-based Alliance for Research on National Security Issues.
How to Build a Fence
David Makovsky - Washington Institute for Near East Policy - March/April 2004
Israel's decision to build a "separation barrier" makes sense, given that a majority of both Israelis and Palestinians favor a two-state solution that includes an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank. The United States should back a version of the fence that boosts Israeli security without unduly hurting the Palestinians or foreclosing a future return to diplomacy. Note: this document is an Adobe PDF. You can download your own Adobe PDF reader if your computer does not have one.
State to High Court: Government may move existing fence
Yuval Yoaz - Haaretz - February 10, 2004
Attorney for the state Malkiel Blass told the High Court of Justice on Monday that the government is "reconsidering" the route of existing and future stretches of the separation fence through the West Bank, which was decided upon in October 2003.
Politicizing the ICJ
Prof. Malvina Halberstam, Cardozo Law School and former Counselor on International Law at the US State Department
For those who believe in the rule of law and the importance of an impartial judiciary, the question submitted by the General Assembly to the International Court of Justice on the legality of the security fence that Israel is constructing should be particularly troubling.
Israel's Anti-Terror Fence: The World Court Case
Laurence E. Rothenberg and Abraham Bell, JCPA - February 15, 2004
The UN General Assembly (GA) resolution asking the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for an advisory opinion is actually a request for an endorsement of an already-stated political opinion of the GA. The ICJ lacks jurisdiction over the case because the GA has dictated the desired result. The court is not authorized to make endorsements of the GA's political opinions dressed in legal garb.
The Fence: racism vs. a response to racism
Yuval Yoaz - Haaretz - February 9, 2004
"Indeed, the life of the Palestinians living along the seam line is not easy," writes attorney Michael Blass of the State Attorney's Office in response to the petitions against the construction of the separation fence. "However, it must not be forgotten that life on Gaza Road in Jerusalem is not easy either. Nor is it easy to conduct a normal lifestyle in the Maxim or Matza restaurants in Haifa. Sipping a cup of coffee in Moment cafe in Jerusalem can cost you your life."
The International Court of Justice and Israel's Anti-Terror Fence
The Anti-Defamation League - February 4, 2004
On December 8, 2003, the United Nations General Assembly (GA), in a special emergency session adopted a Palestinian-initiated resolution sending the issue of Israel's security barrier to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague for an advisory opinion on the question: "What are the legal consequences arising from the construction of the wall being built by Israel, the occupying Power, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory."
Foreign Ministry Legal Advisor: UN Abused its Power
Jerusalem Post - February 3, 2004
The United Nations abused its power in asking the International Court of Justice at The Hague to rule on the legality of Israel's construction of a security barrier, Foreign Ministry legal adviser Alan Baker told The Jerusalem Post on Monday.Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom has said he is hopeful that 33 objections — including those of the European Union, the United States, and Russia — filed with The Hague on Friday against the proceedings will move the court to drop the case.
A Fence Built for Peace
Min. Silvan Shalom - UK Guardian - February 3, 2004
Later this month, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague will offer an advisory opinion on Israel's security fence, following a request from the UN general assembly. That request puts under threat the fundamental values and founding principles of the UN itself, and puts at risk the independent non-political nature of the ICJ, as well as jeopardising the promotion of peace and security in the Middle East.
Gov't Advisor: ICJ Hearing Unlikely to be Cancelled
Ha'aretz - February 2, 2004
There is only a slight chance that the International Court of Justice hearing on the West Bank security fence will be canceled at this stage, Foreign Ministry legal advisor Alan Baker said Sunday.
Foundation for the Defense of Democracies Submits ‘Friend of the Court' Brief to The Hague
Foundation for the Defense of Democracies - January 30, 2004
Attorneys for the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD) today submitted a "Friend of the Court" brief to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague regarding Israel's construction of a "Terrorism Prevention Security Barrier" along the West Bank. You can read a copy of the brief written by Richad D. Heidemann, Esq. Note: this document is an Adobe PDF. You can download your own Adobe PDF reader if your computer does not have one.
The Israel Project's Latest Poll Shows 69% of Americans Agree That
"Israel, like any other country, should not be told by an international court how to protect its own citizens"
The Israel Project - January 30, 2004
Poll findings released today by The Israel Project show that Americans overwhelmingly support Israel's right to defend itself through the construction of its anti-terrorism security fence, even over the possible interference by the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Note: this document is an Adobe PDF. You can download your own Adobe PDF reader if your computer does not have one.
Professor Ruth Wedgewood Analyzes the Security Fence Case
at the World Court
ACCESS|MIDDLE EAST - Wednesday, January 28, 2004
A renowned expert on international law, the UN, human rights and the law of military conflict, Prof. Wedgwood gives an in-depth, invitation-only briefing to US and European journalists on a broad range of issues raised by the upcoming World Court hearing on Israel's security fence – issues that affect the future not only of Israel and the Palestinians, but of the World Court and the UN themselves.
Letter to Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
Jack Rosen, President, American Jewish Congress - January 28, 2004
The matter of the position of the United States with regard to the International Court of Justice and the security fence is urgent. It is of great concern to me and the entire Jewish community. I am writing to lay out some of the reasons why the ICJ should refuse the request that it render an advisory opinion on the Israeli security fence. Note: this document is an Adobe PDF. You can download your own Adobe PDF reader if your computer does not have one.
In Defense of the Fence
David B. Rivkin and Darin R. Bartram, IHT - Monday, January 19, 2004
The UN General Assembly threw the International Court of Justice a red-hot issue when it asked last month for an advisory opinion on the legality of Israel's so-called security fence. Because the United Nations Charter permits this request, the court cannot easily dodge this one, and it clearly understands the stakes.
The Security Fence: An Imperative for Israel
Minister Uzi Landau - January 15, 2004
After 35 years of living with the Palestinians and facing this blatant, ugly, terrorist wave, Israel had no choice but to put up a barrier as an important element in an overall defensive system that would intercept those on their way to blow themselves up among us.
Self-Defense Fence
Clifford D. May - January 8, 2004
It takes some nerve to scold people for defending their children from terrorists -- the more so when their method of defense is simply to erect a fence to keep the murderers from reaching their intended victims.
CIC Briefing Paper: Israel's Security Fence and the International Court of Justice
Canada-Israel Committee - January 8, 2004
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