The Israeli High Court conducted a hearing about the Cable car Annexation project, on June 29, 2020. The lawyer of the families in Silwan, and lawyers of other Israeli organizations which subitted an objection to the cable car project, presented arguments, which stressed the political motivation behind the project as well as the impact of the project on the residence of Silwan, the cultural heritage and the commercial life of the old city. Then the representatives of the Israeli government presented their argument and claims “that the objective of such a project is to improve the traffic system in the area”.
The case now waiting for the Court ruling about the families’ objection which should be soon.
Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat asserted that this project will “bring the wider world to understand who really owns this city – all this infrastructure is intended for that
You can read the full report from the Civic Coalition for Palestinian Rights in Jerusalem.
Israel‘s claim to sovereignty over East Jerusalem is invalid on several grounds and has never
been recognized as legitimate by any members of the international community. The Israel‘s
annexation of East Jerusalem is unequivocally unlawful under international law, in no way alters
its status as an occupied territory, and does not relieve Israel of its duty to apply international
humanitarian law for the protection of the local population. This position has been repeatedly
confirmed by the UN Security Council and reiterated by the International Court of Justice.
Accordingly , israeli actions in occupied Jerusalem must be in accordance with the
legal framework of international humanitarian and international laws applicable during a period of
armed conflict and belligrent occupation.
Just Peace Advocates supports the call by the Civic Coalition for Palestinian Rights in Jerusalem to the international community to give a protective response by:
Recalling that East Jerusalem is under occupation where International Humanitarian Law (IHL) shall
apply and not Israeli legal system;
Holding Israel accountable for its settlement policy and recall that Israel’s occupation,
including its illegal annexation of East Jerusalem, amounts to serious violations of IHL and
IHRL;
Israel to engage their legal obligations as an occupying power and cease forthwith the
construction of the Cable Car project.
The High Contracting parties to the Fourth Geneva Conventions need to fulfil their obligation
under Article 1 to respect and ensure the respect for the provisions of the Conventions under
all circumstances by taking appropriate measures to compel Israel to abide by its obligation.
Private companies need to abide by international and human right law, and refrain from involving
in the construction of the Cable Car project.
Not limiting its response to statements of condemnation but take appropriate and effective
action instead by calling for sanctions against Israel at the UN Security Council
In the case of Canada, not only is their accountability under Article 1 of the Fourth Geneva Convention to ensure that the Convention is upheld in all circumstances, but also under domestic law, in particular the Special Economic Measures Act that requires sanctions to be put in place when a country commits systemic and gross violations of human rights. It is reassuring that on Juy 7, 2020, 57 Canadian members of parliament have said they oppose further annexation. The question is do they oppose the annexation that has occurred during the last 53 years of occupation, and are they willing to take the steps to put in place economic sanctions, military embargos and diplomatic measures to hold the occupier accountable for their violations of international law and human rights.
Israeli plan to run a cable car over Jerusalem to the walls of the Old City has angered Palestinians. (Photo: via Social Media, in Palestine Chronicle, November 6, 2019.
