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March 10, 2004
OU
Applauds Pence Resolution Supporting Israeli Security Fence
The Union of
Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America praised Representatives
Mike Pence (R-IN) and Shelley Berkley (D-NV) for introducing
H.Con.Res.371, a resolution which expresses the support of the
United States Congress for the construction of Israel’s security
fence and condemns the decision by the UN to involve the ICJ in
this issue. “The Orthodox Union applauds the introduction of the
Pence resolution and urges all representatives to co-sponsor and
help pass it,” said Betty Ehrenberg, Director of Internal and
Communal Affairs of the OU’s Institute for Public Affairs.
“Bringing the issue of Israel’s security fence to the ICJ
interferes with American efforts to help facilitate the peace
process, the first step of which must be an end to Palestinian
terrorism, as articulated by President Bush in his speech of June
24, 2002. The security fence is a way for Israel to help prevent
the terrorism that undermines any chance for a genuine peace.”
Last month,
the UN General Assembly referred the question of the legality of
Israel’s security fence under international law to the
International Court of Justice. Israel erected the security
barrier in order to defend its citizens who have been subject to
an unrelenting campaign of Palestinian terrorist attacks. During
the past three and a half years, more than 130 Palestinian suicide
bombers have entered Israel from the West Bank, killing hundreds
of innocent Israelis and maiming thousands more. Israel, in
effect, has been forced into building this security fence - if
there would be no terrorism on the part of the Palestinians, there
would be no need for the fence.
The measure taken by the UN in passing this issue to the Court was
yet another attempt by the Palestinians to undermine Israel in the
international community and to bypass the negotiating process. The
episode that took place in recent weeks in the Hague clearly
illustrates the danger of cynically involving the Court in highly
charged political issues which undercuts the credibility
and defeats the purpose of the ICJ.
The OU asks that all its members call their representatives at
202-225-3121 and urge them to co-sponsor and help pass
H.Con.Res.371, supporting Israel’s right to defend its citizens and
opposing the manipulation of the ICJ for clearly political
purposes.
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