(AP/Ha'aretz) Even after Israel withdraws from Gaza, it will still be considered under international law as the occupying power, according to a study by legal experts from the Justice Ministry, Foreign Ministry, and IDF made public Sunday. Because Israel intends to maintain control over the crossings into Gaza, its coastline and airspace, "We must be aware that the disengagement does not necessarily exempt Israel from responsibility in the evacuated territories," said the report. "The more active control is given to other parties, the more difficult it will be to claim Israel is still responsible," the study said. If the Palestinians were to declare a state, it "would be free to conduct its foreign relations and we can expect a flood of agreements with Arab nations and Muslim organizations," the report said, warning of Palestinian military pacts with Israel's enemies.
2004-10-25 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive