In a statement issued on Friday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) warned that Israel’s settlement policies in the occupied Palestinian territories violated international law.
The ruling by the UN’s highest court is an advisory opinion and has no binding effect on Israeli policy but it adds to the growing global pressure on Israel to provide a comprehensive plan for ending hostilities in Gaza.
The decision does not cover events subsequent to 7 October, when Hamas militants crossed into Israel, taking 250 hostages and causing about 1,200 deaths mostly of civilians.
What did the court say?
According to one survey, ICJ’s panel of fifteen judges ruled that “Israel’s transferring settlers to the West Bank and Jerusalem as well as its continued presence there was in breach of Article 49 of Geneva Convention IV.”
The court further found that Israel did not fulfil her obligations as an occupant power because she used natural resources within Palestinian territories inconsistently.
The ICJ declared such actions by Israeli forces illegal and demanded their immediate cessation.
Also during its stay in there Israeli side would be held accountable for reparations due to damages caused.
Netanyahu slams ICJ ruling as ‘decision of lies’
According to Benjamin Netanyahu who is currently serving as the Prime Minister of Israel, this ruling is based on lies which are unfounded.
“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,” said his official statement.
“No decision of lies in The Hague will distort this historical truth, and similarly, the legality of Israeli settlements in all parts of our homeland cannot be disputed,” he added.
Why is Israel occupying Palestinian territories?
Since the Six-Day War in 1967, East Jerusalem and West Bank have been under Israels control. There are over 100 settlements on occupied territory with more than half a million Israelis having settled here against United Nations resolutions.
Palestinians want these neighborhoods of East Jerusalem to form part of their future capital city but 200,000 Israelis are already living there.
Israel’s major allies including the US and Germany have put forward a plan for a future Palestinian state that would be based on Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
The ruling comes amid the backdrop of Israel’s operations in Gaza, in response to the events of October 7, that have killed more than 38,800 people, mostly women and children, according to data from the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, figures that are deemed largely reliable by the UN.
Israel rejects Palestinian statehood
The Israeli Prime Minister has repeatedly said no to a suggestion of an independent Palestine and kept on encouraging Israeli settlements on occupied territories.
Also on Thursday this week the Knesset (Israeli parliament) voted against forming an independent Palestinian nation bringing forth criticism from Germany.
While Berlin has been largely reticent to criticize Israel, a spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry on Friday said it was “deeply troubled” by the move, adding that “Israel is isolating itself.”
After requesting for an advisory opinion through voting at United Nations General Assembly where over 70% of members were in favour In December 2022 ICJ took up this case.
Another case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza is also being considered by the court.
