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7 March
2007
Israel Responsible for Over One Billion Dollars in Damages
to
East Jerusalem Palestinians
Alternative
Information Center Press Conference
Wednesday
March 14th 10:30am
Daila, 4
Queen Shlomzion Street, West Jerusalem
In the recently
published bulletin, The Separation Wall in East Jerusalem – Economic
Consequences, Shir Hever, Researcher of the Alternative Information Centre
(AIC) highlights that construction of the Israeli Separation Wall has to date
resulted in 1.2 billion dollars in damages to East Jerusalem Palestinians;194
million dollars annually.
Compared to
areas affected by the Separation Wall outside of the Jerusalem area, the
Jerusalem Wall is particularly damaging as it cuts through a major urban area,
directly and adversely affecting over 200,000 people on a daily basis –
especially workers, school children and families. Among other negative effects,
the Separation Wall has caused household income for Palestinian families in
East Jerusalem to fall (in real terms) by about 17.5% since construction began.
The
Separation Wall was deemed illegal by the International Court of Justice in
2004. In December of 2006 the United Nations established a process to ensure
that Palestinians will be compensated for damages incurred due to Wall construction.
The Wall is creating a growing future debt for Israel and Israelis.
As we
approach the 40th year of the Israeli Occupation of East Jerusalem, discussions
that provide a nuanced understanding of the current policies and practices of
occupation employed by Israel are of growing importance. At the press
conference, Shir Hever will present a discussion of the economic impacts of the
Separation Wall, including economic strangulation within, and the centrality of
East Jerusalem in achieving a just peace for Palestinians and Israelis. A copy
of The Separation Wall in East Jerusalem – Economic Consequences, as
well as other informational resources, will be distributed to those present.
The press
conference will be in English.
For Additional
Details:
Shir Hever
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Tel: 02.6241159 Connie
Hackbarth
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Tel: 052.6804.587
Alternative Information Center: http://www.alternativenews.org
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