UN Experts Call for Immediate Compliance with ICJ Ruling on Israel's Presence in Occupied Palestinian Territory

Strategic Insights -

UN human rights experts have emphasized the importance of complying with the recent advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which deemed Israel's occupation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank as unlawful. The experts stated that the ruling reaffirms peremptory norms prohibiting annexation, settlements, racial segregation, and apartheid, and that it should be seen as declaratory in nature and binding on Israel and all states supporting the occupation. They noted that the Court has refuted the notion that Palestinian self-determination must be achieved solely through bilateral negotiations with Israel, and that this requirement has subjected Palestinians to violence, dispossession, and rights violations for 30 years.

Key Takeaways:

  • 38 UN independent human rights experts called for immediate compliance with the ICJ's advisory opinion on Israel's presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
  • The ICJ deemed Israel's occupation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank as unlawful, and found that it violates preemptory norms prohibiting the use of force to annex occupied territory.
  • The Court's advisory opinion reaffirms peremptory norms prohibiting annexation, settlements, racial segregation, and apartheid.
  • The experts welcomed the Court's recognition that converting occupation into annexation by demolishing homes, denying housing permits, and land grabs, violates preemptory norms.
  • The ICJ's advisory opinion has been 20 years in the making, with the Court issuing a previous advisory opinion on the illegality of Israel's construction of a wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
  • The experts called for action, including an arms embargo and targeted sanctions, as well as investigations and prosecutions against those involved in crimes in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
  • The Court's findings should be widely disseminated to ensure that the illegality of Israel's presence in the occupied territory is fully understood at all levels of government and reflected in public documents and education systems.
  • Laws and policies that penalize opposition to or impede advocacy against Israel's occupation and apartheid must be rescinded.

Statistics:

  • 38 UN independent human rights experts have signed a statement calling for immediate compliance with the ICJ's advisory opinion.
  • 30 years have passed since the requirement for Palestinian self-determination was subjected to violence, dispossession, and rights violations.
  • 20 years have passed since the ICJ issued a previous advisory opinion on the illegality of Israel's construction of a wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
  • The ICJ's advisory opinion was issued on 19 July, 2023.
  • The ICJ's advisory opinion is considered a declaratory judgment, meaning that it is a formal announcement of the law.

Sources:

  • "UN experts call for immediate compliance with ICJ ruling on Israel's presence in Occupied Palestinian Territory". UN News. 25 July 2023.
  • "UN General Assembly requests advisory opinion from ICJ on Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory". UN News. 19 July 2023.