Impact of the Barrier on Health

On 9 July 2004, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion on the Barrier Israel had started to build in the occupied West Bank. The court recognized Israel’s right and duty to protect the life of its citizens but found that the sections of the Barrier which ran inside the West Bank, together with the associated gate and permit regime, were a violation of international law. The ICJ called on Israel to cease construction; dismantle the sections completed; and repeal or render ineffective all legislation relating to it. Six years later, more than 60% of the Barrier has been completed; the humanitarian impact on the Palestinian population in the West Bank is clearly felt. In conjunction with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs the World Health Organization has issued this report on the impact of the Barrier on health, in particular patient and staff access to the specialized medical facilities only available in East Jerusalem.