United Nations Radio

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is calling on the Israeli government to dismantle the barrier being built in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

West Bank barrier wall

Five years ago, the ICJ found Israel's construction of the wall in clear violation of international law and requested that the wall be dismantled. The International Court of Justice also advised the government to end restrictions on the freedom of movement of Palestinian residents in the West Bank calling the restrictions a violation of their human rights.

The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories also asked for renewed attention to the Court's advisory opinion. Richard Falk said Israel's rejection of the rule of law with respect to the wall was part of a broader pattern of unlawful conduct on Israel's part.

In handing down its opinion, the International Court concluded that the wall meant more than a third of the West Bank is off limits for Palestinians, blocking their access to work, health and education.

Jocelyn Sambira, United Nations Radio.

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