Journal of Conflict and Security Law Advance Access originally published online on February 3, 2006
Journal of Conflict and Security Law 2006 11(1):119-139; doi:10.1093/jcsl/krl001
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Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory: Opinion and Reaction
* Fellow, Jesus College, Oxford.
The legal framework surrounding the construction of the Wall in the occupied Palestinian territory has been extensively discussed in the context of international politics as well as national jurisprudence. The International Courts advisory opinion is meant to be an authoritative statement of law aimed at clarifying this much contested matter. This contribution examines the courts treatment of the points of substantive international law applicable to the construction of the Wall and the ensuing legal consequences. Furthermore, it considers the reaction to the advisory opinion by the Israeli Supreme Courts decision in the case of Maraabe. This contribution concludes that the International Courts treatment of the legal position in strict terms of legality must be preferred to the application of balancing tests by the Israeli Supreme Court, especially given the latters deficient treatment of the proportionality test.