In accordance with the ruling of The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in Den Hague on the Separation Wall Israel is constructing in the Palestinian Territory on Friday, May 9, 2004, Palestine Telecommunication Company stresses its objection for Wall erection. Palestine Telecommunication Company stresses that the erection of the Wall implies a clear violation of the International Humanitarian Law and the 4th Geneva Conventions. The Wall constitutes a leading factor in destroying the Palestinian economy and its infrastructure. In addition, it causes tremendous damage to the Palestine network of telecommunication.

Mosab Khorma, General Manger of Paltel, said that our loss is tremendous and mounts up to millions of dollars. The Wall is devastating many aspect of Palestine Telecommunication Company Ltd (PALTEL)’s infrastructure. This implies that we need to re-establish a new infrastructure in these areas. Paltel’s engineers and technicians spend long hours working under dangerous conditions. They work very hard to guarantee that service is available to all areas and are ready to find alternative solutions to serve all customers.

Like many other sectors, the Telecommunication sector was affected by the construction of the Separation Wall. The Wall separated many villages and cities from each other and some times sliced the same city or village which indicates serious threat to Paltel’s service as the backbone of the telecommunication network is interrupted. Estimations of US$ 212,474 per month loss is expected, i.e. US$ 5 million loss in capital investment. There are around 7876 phone line connections in the areas where the Separation Wall is erected.

In Jerusalem and Ramallah areas (Biddo, Qattana, Beit Anan, Kherbat Lahem, Beit Ijza, Beit Dokko, AlQubaiba, Beit Soureek, AlTireh, Beit Uor, Beit Sera, Beit Luoqia, Kharbatha, Ne’lin, AlMedia, Qebia, Shoqba, Budros, Shebteen, Sheikh Saad, AlZaim) the number of phone line connections are 4220. The estimated loss is around US$ 114,000 per month with a US$ 2.7 million in network capital investment.

In Bethlehem area (AlWalha, AlKhas/ AlNoman, Rachel Tomb, Batir, Hosan, Nahalin, Beit Sahor, Jabal AlDeek, Beit Fajjar and Abeidia) the number of phone lines connection is 3083. Palestine Telecommunication Company Ltd (PALTEL)’s monthly loss estimates are US$ 83,000 with loss in network capital investment of US$ 1.9 million.

In Qalqelia area (Azzon, AlAtmeh, Ras Tireh, Magharat Dab’a) the number of phone lines connection is 127. Palestine Telecommunication Company Ltd (PALTEL)’s loss is estimated at US$ 3,000 with a network capital loss of US$ 80,000.

In Jineen villages of Bartaa, Kherbat Bartaa, Kherbat Younis, Um Rehaan, and Thaher AlMaleh, the number of phone lines connection is 406 and monthly loss estimation is around US$ 11,000 with a total of US$ 25,000 loss in the network capital investment.

Finally in Tulkarem area where Ezbat Jibara is behind the Separation Wall with 40 phone lines connections, the loss estimate is US$ 25,000 per month.

Palestine Telecommunication Company has initiated a support program for those affected by the Apartheid Separation Wall. Special attention was paid to farmers, being the most affected. Paltel also led a campaign to support Palestinian farmers that had sustained damages due to the Israeli apartheid wall by purchasing 5 tons of their olive oil that was then distributed to poor families in cooperation with the Zakat [Islamic Charity] Committees in several localities.

Khorma added: “we like to comfort Paltel’s customers around the Wall area that Palestine Telecommunication Company will continue to provide its services. It keeps on putting new procedures in place to over come all obstacles and reach out to areas separated by the Wall”. He added: “Palestine Telecommunication Company considers this work as part of its national responsibility and always seeks to provide best quality services”.

He added that Paltel is a national Palestinian Company which has participated in developing the telecommunication sector in Palestine through spreading the information technology. Palestine Telecommunication Company was established in 1995 with private and corporate shareholders. Paltel (PALTEL) started working in December 1997 providing all types of Telecommunication services.

Palestine Telecommunication Company received an exclusive license to operate fixed line service for ten years and cellular phone service for five years in the West Bank and Gaza. Palestine Telecommunication Company employs 1,563 persons in addition to 490 employees with Palestine Cellular Communication Company (Jawwal) with around 50,000 persons among employees, families, and service providers, etc.

Palestine Telecommunication Company pleaded the international community and the Den Hague International Court of Justice (ICJ) and peace lovers to collaborate together and form a unified stand against the erection of the Wall. Paltel also emphasized that its employees will continue to work as per Geneva Conventions and the International Law that guarantee their freedom of movements and work.