World Court rules Israeli occupation illegal, calls for ‘evacuation of all settlers’
“Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the regime associated with them, have been established and are being maintained in violation of international law,” said the president of the court. | The United Nations’ highest court said on Friday that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and settlements there are illegal and should be withdrawn as soon as possible, in its strongest findings to date on the Israel-Palestinian conflict. ● The advisory opinion by judges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), known as the World Court, was not binding but carries weight under international law and is likely to fuel more criticism of Israel’s settlement expansion policies. The court ruling will impact any future Palestinian-Israeli settlement negotiations. ● “Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the regime associated with them, have been established and are being maintained in violation of international law,” President Nawaf Salam said, reading the findings of a 15-judge panel. The court said Israel’s obligations include paying restitution for harm and “the evacuation of all settlers from existing settlements”. ● The ICJ opinion also found that the UN Security Council, the General Assembly, and all states have an obligation not to recognize the occupation as legal nor “render aid or assistance” toward maintaining Israel’s presence in the occupied territories.
■ Landmark ICJ ruling says world must act to end Israel’s illegal occupation (Maureen Clare Murphy)
👉 Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem | The Court gives its Advisory Opinion and responds to the questions posed by the General Assembly (ICJ)(.pdf)