Can't forget

Israelis are still smarting from the ICJ ruling on the wall, writes Emad Gad

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The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the separation wall Israel is constructing in the West Bank violates international and humanitarian laws. As part of its advisory ruling, the court recommended that construction on the wall cease and those parts built so far be demolished. It also advised paying compensation for those harmed by the wall. In its final recommendation, the ICJ asked the UN Security Council and General Assembly to take the measures necessary to implement its ruling. The court's ruling was effectively an advisory opinion, given following a request made by the UN General Assembly last December. It was based on an in-depth study of the wall in light of international law, international humanitarian law, and international human rights law, particularly the principle that forbids gaining territory through the threat to use force or actual force and the illegality of changing conditions in occupied territory. Nevertheless, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon rejected the ICJ opinion -- indeed, he asked the Ministry of Finance to add a special item in the new budget to finance continued construction on the wall.

Although the ICJ ruling is merely an advisory opinion, Israel received it by launching a campaign of hate directed at everyone: ICJ justices, Europe and the Arabs, accusing them all of brandishing the weapon of anti-Semitism. The Israeli website www.walla.co.ilwww.walla.co.ilwas at the forefront of these attacks, as readers responded to the ruling with racist comments against the justices, the Arabs and Europeans as well.

As regards the ICJ itself, one reader commented, "The Hague Court, the current representative of anti-Semitism, once again behaved as expected. It is truly a sad day for the free world."

Another reader wrote, "They should attack you and blow up your court in The Hague, and they should blow up the building with you inside. Oh you disgusting piles of garbage, I hope you're removed from this world... you are anti-Semitic." Another reader demanded the immediate assassination of the ICJ justices.

Another reader: "The court announced that it has the authority to deliberate on the issue of the separation barrier. Isn't there a bit of stupidity in this -- don't you think so?" Another: "You know, as a citizen of Israel, I say that this court does not have any authority. And now, they should get out of here. 'The International Court of Justice admitted that Israel is suffering from 'random violence' against its citizens and said that it is Israel's right, or rather its duty, to respond to protect their lives, but according to the judges, Israel must do so in accordance with international law.' Yes. That's so.... according to international law? Since when do you follow laws at a time of war? Fine, this is great. Let's fight them and give them medical treatment (as we do now). Yes, and enable them to kill us by allowing them entry into any city because some poor judge in Holland said that we must open another checkpoint for passage."

Another reader commented, "The barrier has proven itself, and only a madman would remove it. Let's remember the violent attacks that used to happen practically every day, and we can't forget that black month of March in 2002. Today it's been four months (knock on wood) without a terrorist attack. Unfortunately, everyone in the world is a hypocrite."

"If the judges of The Hague were prepared to absorb Palestinian migration then we would take down the wall and send them to the civilised, liberal cities of Vienna, Berlin, Paris and Madrid," began another reader. "They can take care of Islamic terrorism their own way. The people of the world think that the Palestinians are well-mannered, sweet-faced and smiley. The Spanish side is with them, the French are known for their love of foreigners and the Germans have a notorious history of hating terrorism and tyranny."

Another reader called on Israel to ignore the court's opinion and refuse to recognise it. "This means that we should not care about them, because the important thing for us is our security. Of course, the consultative opinion of 14 anti-Semites does not matter to us. When the United States enters Iraq and turns it to hell in search of something that was not there, they don't do anything. But when Israel defends itself by legitimate means they can't get enough of yelling. In my opinion, the ruling is not important at all. Just as we did not cover the case in the media, we should also ignore the ruling. Of course, we should not pay attention to a bunch of privileged people who do not know what it means to have terrorism inside your home. The final outcome: we should ignore the ruling because, in any case, it is not important for us."

Other letter writers directed their anger at Europeans, branding them as hypocrites and anti-Semites. "The nerve of those Europeans... it's insane. First of all: why do they stick their noses in this issue? I doubt that any one of them witnessed a terrorist act in their lives or lost a relative due to a terrorist attack, or even heard of such an attack. Those hypocrites who do nothing throughout their lives except remind the United States of America that it is not 'the world's policeman'. Suddenly they remembered that they want to intervene."

One reader addressed Europeans directly, "You anti-Semitic European sons of dogs, go to hell. Amen! In Europe they are not faced with attacks like we are. Have you no mercy! You do not know what life is like in Israel with these rotten Arabs and these disgusting suicide attackers!"

"The shamelessness of those who helped the Nazi occupation 'complete' its mission will not prevent the Jewish people from defending themselves," wrote another reader. "This is a legitimate, legal right despite the rulings of this illegal organisation. On the contrary, this will strengthen the resolve of the Jewish people to persevere against the waves of anti-Semitism which are increasing in Europe and the world. Rather than dealing with the domestic problem that stems from the groups of Muslims taking over Europe and endangering their security (through terrorist attacks in Spain, Turkey and others carried out by local Muslims), they try one more time to use the Jewish minority whether it be because of the roots of anti-Semitism or to please the Muslims who are increasing at a rapid rate."

Another reader commented, "They are trash. I hope that terrorism reaches them so we can see how the European pretenders of justice and anti-Semites will respond. We saw them just 60 years ago during the Holocaust, and we saw these judges who are older than 60 and what they were doing during the Holocaust and the degree of humanity they showed."

One reader wrote, "Since World War II, we have stopped putting our fate in the hands of the Europeans. It is a confirmed fact that after erecting the wall or the barrier the rate of terrorist attacks decreased remarkably without us doing anything else. There is no reason to be afraid because we will be victorious. We are the only ones who will decide our fate and the fate of our nation and not this judge or that. That's the bottom line."

Another commented, "Israel has the absolute right to launch a full-scale war on every Arab nation. No one cared about what was happening to the Palestinians and the barrier when 10-ton bombs fell on the streets of Syria, or when the reactors in Iran were destroyed. Believe me, this will only be in our best interest."

"Yes, the Europeans are cowards, and they don't have any right to guide the state of Israel, or any other person in the world except themselves. This is well-known," ventured another reader. "But after my service with the reserves in the occupied territories, and after having seen the barrier, I ask myself if this is the logical path for the barrier. I am not sensitive. Yes, to the barrier, and yes to separation now, but along the 1967 borders, not according to the mood of our leaders with its violation of basic Palestinian human rights."

Others found a solution by imagining a majority electoral victory of extreme right-wing parties in Israel, which would enable them to form a new government and implement a radical agenda. "With 30 seats for the Nationalist Union Party and 30 seats for Mifdal (the National Religious Party), we could follow a new path that allows the imprisonment of Jews who support terrorism; the assassination of all Palestinians who bear arms; the expulsion of all the Arabs from Israel 2004; the reappropriation of the Sinai; the reinstitution of education; cleaning the political arena of this trash; cleaning of the streets of the overflowing garbage; and cementing love for the nation in our souls. We could make it clear to the world that there would not be a Jewish state if the rest of the world did not exist, just like the rest of the world is worth nothing without a Jewish state."

To find out more about the Israeli response to the ICJ ruling, visit the website of Arabs Against Discrimination (www.aad- online.org).