UN to register Palestinian damage claims (162-7)

A Palestinian vegetable farmer whose livelihood has been greatly impacted by Israel's 'security fence'.

From Israel’s West Bank barrier

with seven abstentions.

UNITED NATIONS — The UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly Friday to establish an office to register Palestinian damage claims stemming from Israel’s construction of a barrier in the West Bank.

Israel and the United States strongly opposed the creation of the new office, which will be based in Vienna, Austria.

Israel began building the barrier in 2002 to stop Palestinian suicide bombers who were infiltrating from the West Bank. Palestinians say it is an attempt to grab their land and has obstructed their freedom of movement.

The barrier has divided villages and destroyed homes and crops, displacing thousands of Palestinians and cutting others off from jobs, doctors, schools and places of worship, said Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian UN observer.

The General Assembly resolution, approved 162-7 with seven abstentions, referred to an advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice in July 2004 that found the barrier illegal. The court said “Israel is under an obligation to make reparations for all damage caused by the construction.”

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ISRAEL-OPT: For farmers, much of their land remains out of reach

UN to register Palestinian damage claims