New FDD White Paper by Legal Scholar Ruth Wedgwood

News From The Foundation for the Defense of Democracies

Contact:          Washington D.C – Anne Marek- 202-207-0190 or [email protected]
                        The Hague – Mark Dubowitz – 1-202-431-0711 or [email protected]

February 24, 2004

New FDD White Paper by Legal Scholar Ruth Wedgwood
— Hearings on Israel's Fence Endanger Integrity of UN Court —

Washington, D.C., Feb. 24 – Johns Hopkins University legal scholar Ruth Wedgwood argues in a new White Paper published by the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD) that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague is treading on “dangerous ground” as it proceeds this week with hearings on Israel's security barrier.

Ruth Wedgwood is the Edward Burling Professor of International Law and Diplomacy at the Paul Nitze School for Advanced International Studies, at Johns Hopkins University, and a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Prof. Wedgwood notes the “conspicuous absence” of the major states — including all of Europe, the U.S. and Russia — from the hearings.

“Interference with the Road Map peace process, the implicit challenge to the authority of the Security Council, the one-sided characterization of the human equities at stake, and the unavailability of necessary fact-finding, make this dangerous ground for the Court. We should preserve the integrity of international courts for circumstances where they can make a genuine contribution.

FDD is a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit, non-partisan policy institute founded immediately after the attacks of September 11, 2001 to conduct research and education on global terrorism, and promote democracy worldwide.  On January 30th, 2004, FDD submitted a “Friend of the Court” Brief to the ICJ arguing that as a matter of international law, the ICJ should not rule on the security barrier. FDD also is sponsoring an exhibit at The Hague to coincide with the hearings: “The Human Cost of Terrorism,” http://www.humancost.org/ — photographic portraits of some of the thousands of Israelis – Jewish, Christian and Muslim — who have been murdered or maimed in terrorist attacks since 2000 — a reminder of the human loss that the security barrier is designed to prevent.

The FDD believes all nations have a fundamental right and duty to defend themselves – not least through such non-violent means as security barriers. FDD opposes rewarding or appeasing terrorism. Israelis may be willing to trade “land for peace” but they would be foolish to relinquish land won in a defensive war to those continuing to wage terrorist attacks against them.

For printed copies of the White Paper, additional information, or to arrange interviews with Prof. Wedgwood in Washington D.C. or with FDD's Vice-Chairman, Amb. Carlson in The Hague, contact Anne Marek at 202-207-1090 or [email protected]