Legal expert: Occupation legally over

[Brightmore]

Legal expert: Occupation legally over
Jerusalem Post
YAAKOV KATZ
September 12, 2005

The IDF withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the drastic restriction of Israel's control over the Palestinian population there signifies the legal end to 38 years of occupation, international law expert Prof. Ruth Lapidoth said Sunday.

Lapidoth, professor emeritus at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and professor of law at the College of Management in Rishon Lezion, rejected Palestinian claims that despite implementation of the disengagement plan, the occupation was continuing.

Following the withdrawal, Israel will retain control over Gaza's airspace and border crossings into the West Bank.

"Even though Israel continues to control the airspace and the crossings, the occupation is officially over," she said. "Israel would be responsible if there is a plane crash in midair, but if a foreigner is killed in Gaza then the Palestinians are responsible."

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