International Court of Justice hears arguments over Israeli occupation of Palestinian-claimed land

[essentialsaltes]

Note that this legal action started in 2022, before the current conflict.

‘Our people are here to stay:’ World Court hears arguments over Israeli occupation of Palestinian-claimed land​

The International Court of Justice began hearing historic oral arguments Monday over the Israeli occupation of territory claimed by Palestinians, thrusting the decades-old debate before a panel of international judges as the region remains locked in an unprecedented war.

Fifty-two countries will participate in arguments at The Hague over the six-day hearing – more than any other case heard by the court in its history.

The 15 judges on the court will be asked to consider, as the General Assembly wrote, “the legal consequences arising from the ongoing violation by Israel of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, from its prolonged occupation, settlement and annexation of the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967.”

All Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are considered illegal under international law and by much of the international community.

 

[essentialsaltes]

U.S. stands with Israel at U.N. court as Biden-Netanyahu tension simmers​

The United States backed Israel in a hearing Wednesday at the International Court of Justice, once again diverging from allies despite growing tension between President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the Israel-Gaza war.

In a presentation in The Hague, the United States said that an advisory opinion from the U.N.’s top court had the potential to frustrate peace efforts if it did not account for Israel’s needs. “A movement toward Israel’s withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza requires consideration of Israel’s very real security needs,” State Department official Richard Visek told the court.

In earlier presentations, representatives from South Africa and other nations slammed Israel for running an “apartheid state” and called for an end to the occupation of Palestinian territories.

The hearings will continue through Monday with more than two dozen countries yet to speak. The court’s advisory opinion is not expected for months — and may or may not have an impact.