The Almagor Terror Victims Association will be represented by Atty. Yaakov Rubin in the deliberations at The Hague regarding Israel's counter-terrorism partition fence. The decision comes in response to the inclusion of the Arab League as a complainant against Israel in the case.
Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Collin Powell yesterday, thanking him for his support for the Israeli position that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague is not the proper forum to hear evidence against the fence. Shalom updated Powell on Israel's preparation of a written statement to the ICJ opposing the Court's jurisdiction on procedural and substantive grounds.
Minister Shalom said that the U.S. position is of paramount importance, as many countries look to the lead taken by the United States. He encouraged Powell in his efforts to secure a joint US-Russian approach to this issue, and hopes that as many likeminded states will show similar support. "Bringing this matter to the ICJ not only undermines the Security Council," according to Shalom, "but also encourages the PA to refrain from engaging in direct negotiations with Israel pursuant to the Road Map."
The Almagor organization will similarly maintain that The Hague is not authorized to deal with issues having to do with Israel's self-defense and saving its citizens' lives. The organization will further claim that the fence, if not an ideal solution, is the "least of all evils" given the situation in which the Palestinian Authority tolerates armed terrorists. Past and present top security experts say that the current location of the fence is a "security essential" in order to create a security zone for Israeli citizens - an area in which terrorists who have infiltrated into pre-1967 can be pursued and caught before they enter populated areas.
Meir Indor, a leader of Almagor, said,
"It's not that we're thrilled about a fence that cheapens the blood of those of our brothers who remain on the other side, and even provides a temporary excuse for not totally liquidating the terrorist threat - but we will not allow hypocrisy to reign in The Hague. We will make sure, as well, that other organizations, including those of Holocaust survivors, will also come to The Hague and explain the true reason why this fence was put up."
The Foreign Ministry is reportedly planning to send to The Hague, as evidence, one of the many burnt-and-destroyed buses on which dozens of Israelis were killed by terrorists over the past three years.
Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Collin Powell yesterday, thanking him for his support for the Israeli position that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague is not the proper forum to hear evidence against the fence. Shalom updated Powell on Israel's preparation of a written statement to the ICJ opposing the Court's jurisdiction on procedural and substantive grounds.
Minister Shalom said that the U.S. position is of paramount importance, as many countries look to the lead taken by the United States. He encouraged Powell in his efforts to secure a joint US-Russian approach to this issue, and hopes that as many likeminded states will show similar support. "Bringing this matter to the ICJ not only undermines the Security Council," according to Shalom, "but also encourages the PA to refrain from engaging in direct negotiations with Israel pursuant to the Road Map."
The Almagor organization will similarly maintain that The Hague is not authorized to deal with issues having to do with Israel's self-defense and saving its citizens' lives. The organization will further claim that the fence, if not an ideal solution, is the "least of all evils" given the situation in which the Palestinian Authority tolerates armed terrorists. Past and present top security experts say that the current location of the fence is a "security essential" in order to create a security zone for Israeli citizens - an area in which terrorists who have infiltrated into pre-1967 can be pursued and caught before they enter populated areas.
Meir Indor, a leader of Almagor, said,
"It's not that we're thrilled about a fence that cheapens the blood of those of our brothers who remain on the other side, and even provides a temporary excuse for not totally liquidating the terrorist threat - but we will not allow hypocrisy to reign in The Hague. We will make sure, as well, that other organizations, including those of Holocaust survivors, will also come to The Hague and explain the true reason why this fence was put up."
The Foreign Ministry is reportedly planning to send to The Hague, as evidence, one of the many burnt-and-destroyed buses on which dozens of Israelis were killed by terrorists over the past three years.