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Vote Against Senate Bill Supporting the Wall On July 9, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the wall Israel is building in the Palestinian West Bank is “contrary to international law” and that Israel must cease its construction, dismantle it, and pay reparations to those damaged by it. The ICJ clearly stated that Israel had the right and responsibility to protect its citizens, but that this right did not extend to building a massive wall through territory that they are holding under military occupation. This is a ruling clearly in line with relevant international law. Members of Congress who support Israel’s military occupation responded by introducing legislation condemning the ICJ ruling and backing Israel’s illegal wall.  The House quickly passed a resolution to this effect in July but a sizable number of Members of Congress voted against it or abstained, partly as a result of your efforts.  A similar resolution—Senate Resolution 408—was introduced in the Senate on July 20 but was not voted on before the Congressional recess in August.  The Senate is likely to vote on it sometime after it reconvenes after Labor Day. Now is the time to act. Your actions can make a difference. Send the letter we have included here to your Senator. Sample Letter for Campaign Subject: Senator, please support the International Court of Justice Dear [ Decision Maker ] , I urge you to vote no or present on Senate Resolution 408, which condemns the International Court of Justice for ruling that the wall Israel is building in the West Bank is illegal. As one of your many constituents who support a foreign policy based on human rights and international law, I believe it is important for the Senate to uphold these principles rather than undermine them by condemning their application to current legal issues. The ICJ had jurisdiction to issue an advisory opinion on Israel's wall after receiving a valid request from the United Nations General Assembly. Its opinion that Israel's wall in the West Bank is illegal and must be dismantled was based on a sound interpretation of human rights and international law. It is inappropriate for the Senate to condemn the ICJ for doing its job and to contradict the substance of an ICJ advisory opinion. The advisory opinion states clearly: "All States are under an obligation not to recognize the illegal situation resulting from the construction of the wall and not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by such construction." (Para. 163(D).) By actively supporting Israel's wall, Senate Resolution 408 defies the opinion of the ICJ and demonstrates US unwillingness to take seriously the requirements of human rights and international law. If passed, Senate Resolution 408 would further isolate US policy toward Israel and Palestine from the international consensus. On July 20, the United Nations General Assembly voted 150 to 6 with 10 abstentions to demand that Israel comply with the ICJ advisory opinion to dismantle its illegal wall in the West Bank. The only countries voting no were the United States, Israel, Australia, Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau. The United States must work with the international community to implement a just and lasting peace based on human rights and international law. I thank you for your attention to this matter and again strongly urge you to vote against Senate Resolution 408. Sincerely,

Campaign Launched: August 25, 2004

Background Information

Israel's wall being built through the West Bank is clearly illegal under international law. Even the High Court of Israel ruled that sections of it placed an "undue burden" on the Palestinian population, an example of supreme understatement.

The wall's impact on Palestinians is devastating. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are cut off from schools, hospitals, work, fields and family. The wall separates Palestinians from each other, making its route impossible to defend on security grounds, which, in any case, would not overcome its blatant illegality. Jewish Voice for Peace has assembled a great deal of information on the wall, including articles, maps and links to more info. You can access it by clicking here.

The United States stands with Israel in near-total isolation in rejecting the decision of July 9 by the International Court of Justice that the wall's route is illegal and it must be taken down. Supporting Israel in this blatantly criminal act which will only make peace and justice more distant dreams is indefensible. Even veterans of Israel's defense and intelligence communities are arguing that the route of the wall through the West Bank is based not on security concerns, but on political ones (i.e. making life harder for Palestinians in the West Bank).

The Senate is traditionally a bit more difficult to get a bill through than the House. We had an impact on the House vote. Although the bill passed with a very large majority, it was not as large a majority as most bills supporting Israeli actions get. We can act now and we can have a much greater impact in the Senate. Please act and please send this alert to as many friends and colleagues as you can. Act now and spread the word--we cannot allow the United States to support this wall which will make life even harder for Palestinians and will make a just peace, which Israelis badly need as well, much harder to achieve.