The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has delivered a historic opinion stating that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, including the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, violates international law.
The ICJ, based in The Hague, issued this advisory opinion following a request from the UN General Assembly. While the opinion is not legally binding, it carries significant political influence and marks the first time the ICJ has addressed the legality of the 57-year occupation.
ICJ President Nawaf Salam announced the findings, stating that “Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is illegal.” He added that Israel must end its “unlawful presence” as quickly as possible, and highlighted that Israel’s 2005 withdrawal from Gaza did not terminate its effective control over the area.
The court’s opinion calls for the cessation of Israeli settlement activities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and demands reparations for damages caused by the occupation. Approximately 160 settlements housing 700,000 Jews have been established in these regions since 1967, which the court deemed illegal.
The ICJ also concluded that Israeli policies amount to the annexation of large parts of the occupied territories, further asserting that Israel has no sovereign rights over these areas.
Additionally, the court condemned Israel’s restrictions on Palestinians as “systemic discrimination based on, inter alia, race, religion or ethnic origin.” It criticised Israel’s exploitation of Palestinian natural resources and violations of the right to self-determination. The court advised states to refrain from any actions, including aid, that would perpetuate the current situation.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the court’s opinion, labelling it a “decision of lies.” He asserted, “The Jewish people are not occupiers in their own land – not in our eternal capital Jerusalem, nor in our ancestral heritage of Judea and Samaria (the West Bank).” Netanyahu maintained that the legality of Israeli settlements is indisputable.
Conversely, Palestinian leaders welcomed the ICJ’s findings. Hussein Al Sheikh, Secretary General of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), hailed the opinion as “a historic victory for the rights of the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination.” He urged the international community to respect the court’s decision and pressure Israel to end the occupation.
The ICJ’s opinion will now be reviewed by the UN General Assembly, which will determine the next steps, potentially including the adoption of a resolution. This decision could significantly influence future negotiations and establish the legal framework for a peaceful resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
This case is separate from another ongoing ICJ case initiated by South Africa, accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians during the Gaza conflict.
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
Follow us on:
Edo Governor Okpebholo has appointed Arise News’ Suleiman Aledeh as MD of Edo Broadcasting Service,…
The Philippine vice president Duterte has made a public threat to have the president assassinated,…
The Laos government has vowed to deliver justice following an alcohol poisoning incident that tragically…
Chadema party chairman Freeman Mbowe and other Tanzanian leaders have been detained for allegedly violating…
An Israeli airstrike in Beirut has killed four, injured over 20, and flattened an eight-storey…
Trump has nominated Wall Street financier Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary, emphasising his expertise in…
View Comments
Royal umbrella=20,000
Mama Gold=20,000
Royal stallion=20,000
Rising sun=20,000
Special rice=10,500
Mama Africa=20,000
Elephant Gold=20,000
Caprice =20,000
• Toyota Land Cruiser-N1.5 million
• Toyota Prado N1. 3million
• Toyota Corolla –N750,000-1.9m
• Toyota Camry –N550,000-N1.8 M
• Toyota Avensis – N950,000-N1.7M
• Toyota Yaris – N900,000
• Toyota Venza – N2.8 million
• Toyota RAV4 SUV –N1.2milli
• Toyota Hilus Pickup-N950,000
TIPPER Head 6mil
• Toyota Dyna Truck – N1.3million
• Toyota Hiace Bus – N1.5 million
* Toyota Highlander-N1.2 million
*Toyota Big daddy-N850,000-1.9 m
Honda Civic cars – N850,000
Honda Accord – N950,000
Honda CR-V –N980,000
Honda CR-V –950,000
Honda Pilot – N900,000
*Prices of some Volswagen cars:
golf 1 = 250,000
Golf 2,-N350,000
golf 3,4-400,00-500,000
golf 5 -N550,000
Jetta-N350,000
Passat-N450,000
Lexus RX300-N950,000
Lexus RX330-N1.4 mill
Lexus RX350-N1.8 mill
Lexus GX460-N4.2 mill
Lexus GX470-N5.5 mill
Lexus RX400-# 3.3 mill
Toyota Sienna = 700,000
WE DELIVER TO 36 STATES
YOU CAN CALL THE OFFICE IN CHARGE OR ADD HIM UP ON WHATSAPP O8O 6739 9O9OINSTALMENTAL PAYMENT IS ALLOWED!!〽.VEHICLES ARE SLIGHTLY NEGOTIABLE〽WE COMMENCE DELIVERY WITHIN 36 STATE IN NIGERIA