February 19, 2024
2 mins read

ICJ to Hold Historic Hearings on Israel’s Occupation

The case reached the ICJ after the UN General Assembly voted in December 2022 to seek a non-binding advisory opinion on the Israeli occupation from the 15-judge panel…reports Asian Lite News

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is preparing to commence historic hearings on the legality of Israel’s 57-year occupation of Palestinian territories. Scheduled for a week at The Hague, the proceedings coincide with Israel’s ongoing military offensive in Gaza, resulting in the death of over 29,000 Palestinians since October 7, Al Jazeera reported.

Distinct from the genocide complaint filed by South Africa against Israel for alleged violations in the current conflict, the ICJ hearings focus on Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem since 1967.

The Palestinians, seeking these areas for an independent state, argue that the occupation breaches three fundamental principles of international law, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Palestinian representatives assert that Israel has violated the prohibition on territorial conquest by annexing significant portions of occupied land, infringing upon the Palestinians’ right to self-determination, and imposing a system of racial discrimination and apartheid.

Omar Awadallah, head of the UN organisations department in the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, emphasises the desire for the court to consider the term “apartheid,” similar to its evaluation of “genocide” in the South Africa case.

An advisory opinion from the court is anticipated to provide the Palestinians with legal tools to address the alleged illegalities of the occupation through peaceful international law methods. The court’s ruling is expected to take months.

Following the Palestinian presentation, an unprecedented 51 countries and three organisations–the League of Arab States, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the African Union–will address the judges. While Israel will not present an oral argument, it has submitted written observations.

The case reached the ICJ after the UN General Assembly voted in December 2022 to seek a non-binding advisory opinion on the Israeli occupation from the 15-judge panel. This request, championed by Palestinians and contested by Israel, prompted strong objections from the latter, which deemed any potential decision from the court as “completely illegitimate.”

Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza in 1967 during a war with Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. While Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, it still controls the enclave’s borders. In the West Bank, 146 settlements house over 500,000 Jewish settlers, with a settler population growth exceeding 15 per cent in the last five years, according to Peace Now. Israel has also annexed East Jerusalem, considering the entire city as its capital.

The international community widely regards the settlements as illegal, and Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem is not internationally recognised. This case marks the second time the UN General Assembly has sought an advisory opinion from the ICJ on the occupied Palestinian territory, following a 2004 ruling that declared Israel’s separation wall in the West Bank violated international law, Al Jazeera reported. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Iran Condemns US Senate’s $14B Aid to Israel

Previous Story

UAE Non-Oil Trade Hits New Record

Next Story

Starmer calls for Gaza ceasefire

Latest from -Top News

India opens world’s highest rail bridge

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir and flagged off the much-awaited Vande Bharat Express to Srinagar, marking a historic moment

Sisi, MBZ cement ties

UAE and Egypt bolster ties through high-level talks in Abu Dhabi and a landmark cardiac care initiative delivering lifesaving treatment to rural communities The United Arab Emirates and Egypt reaffirmed their strong

‘UAE leads global fight against plastic waste’

UAE accelerates its fight against plastic pollution with a bold single-use plastic ban and expanded environmental policies to safeguard natural ecosystems for future generations The United Arab Emirates continues to lead the

70,000 Gaza kids starve

WFP warned that any further escalation of conflict could paralyse relief operations altogether, deepening the plight of civilians—especially children, the elderly, and vulnerable groups As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza intensifies, the

Prayers on the Mount

The Day of Arafat, considered the pinnacle of the Hajj pilgrimage, witnessed a congregation of believers from around the world As the sun blazed overhead and temperatures climbed to a sweltering 41°C,
Go toTop

Don't Miss

EMBASSY ROW Palestinians Slam Israeli Stance

Palestine has condemned Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s rejection to

ICJ to hold hearings on legality of Israel’s occupation

The case arrived at the court after the UN General