THE LEGAL STATUS OF JERUSALEM UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW

Abstract

THE LEGAL STATUS OF JERUSALEM UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW

Abstract

The 1993 agreement betvveen Palestine and Israel has not solved the
issue of the status of Jerusalem. To the contrary, the agreement, in its Article
5, postpones discussion of the issue until the permanent status negotiations
that are to commence in 1996. In 1993-95, Israel has actively built housing
for Jews in East Jerusalem.
These efforts at increasing its factual hold on Jerusalem put Israel in
violation of international law. When a state undertakes in an international
agreement to resolve an issue, it may not subsequently take measures that
rendcr the resolution of the issue impossible. International agreements
include an element of good faith. States must carry out their international
agreements in good faith. Article 26 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of
Treaties (1969) states that "Every treaty in force is binding upon the parties
to it, and must be performed by them in good faith."  

Keywords

• THE LEGAL STATUS
• JERUSALEM UNDER
• INTERNATIONAL LAW