CAIRO/KUWAIT, 19 February 2004 — The International Committee of Red Cross yesterday said that the security barrier that Israel is building in the West Bank is contrary to humanitarian law, and should not be built.
“The ICRC’s opinion is that the West Bank barrier, in as far as its route deviates from the ‘Green Line’ into occupied territory, is contrary to IHL (International humanitarian law),” the Red Cross said in a statement.
“The ICRC therefore calls upon Israel not to plan, construct or maintain this barrier within occupied territory” as this would have serious humanitarian and economic consequences for thousands of Palestinians.
“The barrier deprives thousands of Palestinian residents of adequate access to basic services such as water, health care and education, as well as sources of income such as agriculture and other forms of employment” where it deviates from the so-called Green Line into occupied territory, the statement said. The statement by the ICRC was the first time the Red Cross had condemned the barrier.
“The ICRC has repeatedly condemned deliberate attacks against Israeli civilians and stressed that all acts intended to spread terror among the civilian population are in clear violation of international humanitarian law (IHL). It recognizes Israel’s right to take measures to ensure the security of its population. However, these measures must respect the relevant rules of IHL,” it said.
The Red Cross said that “Palestinian communities situated between the Green Line and the barrier are effectively cut off from the Palestinian society to which they belong. The construction of the West Bank barrier continues to give rise to widespread appropriation of Palestinian property and extensive damage to or destruction of buildings and farmland.
“The problems affecting the Palestinian population in their daily lives clearly demonstrate that it runs counter to Israel’s obligation under IHL to ensure the humane treatment and well-being of the civilian population living under its occupation,” the statement said.
“The measures taken by the Israeli authorities linked to the construction of the barrier in occupied territory go far beyond what is permissible for an occupying power under IHL.
“These findings are based on the ICRC’s monitoring of the living conditions of the Palestinian population and on its analysis of the applicable IHL provisions. The Israeli authorities have been regularly informed about he ICRC’s humanitarian and legal concerns. The ICRC therefore calls upon Israel not to plan, construct or maintain this barrier within occupied territory,” it said.
