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A Statement by the People on Hunger Strike Protesting the Israeli Wall in
the Wake of the ICJ Ruling We, the women and men on hunger strike,
protesting the continued construction of the Israeli “Separation wall”,
raise our voices in welcoming the ruling handed down by the International
Court of Justice [ICJ] in the Hague, and which unequivocally declares its
illegality. The wall, which is being built on occupied Palestinian land,
separates Palestinian families from one another, children from their
schools, farmers from their lands, and the sick from the medical
facilities they need. In essence, the wall imprisons an entire
population, substituting the conventional metal bars of a prison with an
8-meter high cement wall, razor wire, trenches, lookout towers and gates,
controlled by the wardens of the Israeli Occupying
Army. We assert that this ruling is an affirmation of
the demands of the Palestinian people who are defending their freedom,
land and families. We furthermore call upon the General Assembly of the
United Nations as well as the Security Council, to work faithfully to
implement its unambiguous decisions, and which represent the highest
legal authority in the UN. The Security Council must take immediate and
binding concrete action in order to undo the injustices endured by the
Palestinian people as a result of Israel’s illegal occupation. In this
regard we look to the example set by the international community in
confronting the racist policies of the Apartheid regime in South Africa
in years past. There is no doubt that in order to reverse the grave
injustices inflicted upon the Palestinian people and to bring about the
conditions for a genuine peace, Israel must abide by international law
and international resolutions, including those resolutions which call for
a full end to the occupation, and the right for Palestinian refugees to
return to their lands and homes. In this regard, we demand that the
existent double standard pertaining to Israel and its flagrant disregard
of international law, be put to an immediate end. Israel is not and
cannot be a country above the law. We consider the ICJ ruling a
victory for the voices of justice and humanity, but is short of being
complete until Israel is forced to abide by it. We call upon all
countries of the world, including the United States of America, not to
provide Israel with political immunity while it continues to adhere to
disregarding international law and the will of the international
community. This ruling has done away with all of Israel’s lies and
excuses regarding the pretexts for the wall’s construction and reaffirms
the just cause of the Palestinian people, their right to defend their
land against the brutal assaults of the occupier, and their right to
receive compensation from Israel for the damages inflicted. We once again
affirm and commend this decision, which is in-synch with the laws of
justice and human rights, and shall continue to resist this wall until
its ultimate demolition, calling upon all people of conscience to join us
in this struggle. Hunger Strikers Ar Ram,
Jerusalem, near the Site of the Planned Israeli Wall July 9, 2004<br>
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(415) 863-9977<br>
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