Qurei: Israel's decision is 'theft in broad daylight' of Palestinian land

The Arab League condemned Monday the Israeli decision on the ratification of the parameter of the Israeli separation wall in Jerusalem, warning that the wall would undermine any real opportunity to push the peace process forward.

The New York Times reported yesterday that "Israel's separation barrier in and around Jerusalem is meant to ensure a Jewish majority in the disputed city, a Cabinet minister acknowledged Monday, contradicting government claims that the divider is solely a temporary security measure."

The New York Times report noted that "Israel's Cabinet on Sunday approved final details of the 40-mile Jerusalem barrier, which is halfway built and will eventually cut off some 55,000 Arab residents in four neighborhoods from their city, while including some 30,000 Jewish West Bank settlers on the Jerusalem side."

The Palestinian Media Center reported today that "Palestinian reaction to Israel's decision to complete the construction of its Apartheid Wall on occupied land in Jerusalem by September 1, which the Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmad Qurei described as a land 'theft in broad daylight' that makes peace itself 'a farce.'"

The Palestinian Media Center reported that "Ha'aretz reported that the government also set September 1 as the new deadline for completing the construction of the Wall in occupied Jerusalem, according to Israel's Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert." Its report quoted Palestinian officials saying "Israel destroys any possibility to establish Palestinian state within 1967 borders" and calling on US President George W. Bush to honor his vision for two states living side by side. Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erakat was reported saying "With this step, they are trying to decide the fate of Jerusalem."

A Palestinian Media Report said "Qurei confirmed in Ramallah on Monday that the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) would report the issue of the Israeli Apartheid Wall in occupied Jerusalem to the UN General Assembly and the Security Council."

In a statement to the press, Arab League spokesman Husam Ziki called on the international community to seriously move to implement UN resolutions and the International Court of Justice decision which said the establishment of the wall is illegal because it is being built on Palestinian land.

He also underlined that the track of the Apartheid wall in Jerusalem is part of the Israeli plans to change the features of the Holy city to isolate it from its Arab surroundings, a matter that negates any Israeli desire to achieve peace.

The Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) had ruled that the wall contravenes international law, it must be dismantled, and compensation must be paid to the Palestinian property owners whose land was confiscated by Israel to build its separation wall.

The court ruling entitled, "Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territories," noted that the course of the wall will, "gravely infringe a number of rights of Palestinians residing in the territory occupied by Israel." The court also ruled that Israel must halt construction of the wall and tear down those sections already built inside the West Bank. It added, "Israel is under an obligation to make reparation for all damage caused by the construction of the wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in and around East Jerusalem."

The International Court of Justice was created in 1946 as the main legal body of the United Nations. The ICJ was asked to rule on the issue of Israel's proposed 400-mile separation wall by a United Nations General Assembly ruling in December 2003. The ruling passed 14-1, with the US judge as the sole opposing vote.

The Palestinian Media Center reported that "The revised Wall route will mean some 55,000 Palestinians of east Jerusalem will no longer be able to travel freely throughout the holy city. It will now cut through four of the Palestinian neighborhoods of Shuafat and Kufr Akab as well as the Qalandiya refugee camp and Anata on the outskirts of the city. The Wall leaves some 55,000 Palestinians on the West Bank side, while including the largest illegal Jewish West Bank colony of Maaleh Adumim, with close to 30,000 illegal Jewish settlers, on the Israeli side."

The Palestinian Media Center reported "The Israeli Cabinet minister for Jerusalem Haim Ramon on Monday contradicted his government's security claims and acknowledged that the Wall was dictated by demographic considerations and will make the occupied Holy City 'more Jewish.'"

The report quoted Palestinian Prime Minister Qurei saying "that the Israeli decision represents a 'flagrant defiance' to the United Nations General Assembly, which in 2004 adopted the ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague in July that year, condemning Israel's Wall as 'illegal' because it is being built on occupied Palestinian land."