Ramallah, 10-07-06: Palestinians marked the second anniversary of the International Court of Justice ruling on the illegality of Israel’s Separation Wall, by holding a sit-in outside the offices of the United Nations in Ramallah today.
A petition to UN General Secretary Kofi Annan was presented to June Ray, head of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees delegation in Palestine, by representatives of the Popular Committee Against the Wall, Palestinian civil society organisations, political parties, and government ministries.
The petition called for urgent action to implement the ICJ’s ruling, an immediate end to Israel’s bombardment of the Gaza Strip, and for the presence of an international protection force in Palestine.
Two years ago on 9 July 2004, the ICJ found by a ruling of 14 votes to 1 that 'construction of the wall by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, is contrary to international law,' and that Israel is under obligation to 'cease the wall’s construction, dismantle the existing structure and make reparations for any damage caused by the construction.'
Despite this, Israel has ploughed on with construction of its Wall. As of 30 April 2006, 362 km (51 percent) of the 852 kilometre-long structure had been completed, and 38 km (13 percent) is currently under construction.