Historical Documents
John Kerry's reaction to ICJ Ruling (9 July 2004)
US Newswire -- Senator John Kerry released the following statement today regarding the International Court of Justice ruling on Israel's security fence.
"I am deeply disappointed by today's International Court of Justice ruling related to Israel's security fence. Israel's fence is a legitimate response to terror that only exists in response to the wave of terror attacks against Israel. The fence is an important tool in Israel's fight against terrorism. It is not a matter for the ICJ.
"I have made very clear from the start that I do not believe that the ICJ should even be considering this issue given that they do not have jurisdiction.
"We were right to oppose the resolution in the General Assembly and to convey this opinion to the ICJ. Several months ago, I joined in sending a letter to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan urging him to "act so that the ICJ does not...issue an advisory opinion on the legality of the security fence Israel is building."
"Our nation is rightly discussing with Israel the exact route of the fence to minimize the hardship it causes Palestinians. And Israel's own Supreme Court has looked at the very same issues and we should respect that process."
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