The World Court, commonly known as the International Court of Justice, convened its fourth day of hearings on Thursday regarding the legal ramifications of Israel’s actions and policies “in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.” During the six-day proceedings, which address Israeli rule over the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip, dozens of nations are anticipated to make oral arguments. Even if the proceedings have nothing to do with the Gaza War, Israel may come under further criticism about its military action there. One of the passionate statements made by Palestinian leaders on Monday was that “the Palestinian people have only three options: displacement, subjugation, or death” because of the actions of previous Israeli administrations. Israel declared that it will not be attending the hearings because it does not accept their validity.
Background of the ICJ Hearings
The U.N. General Assembly passed a resolution in 2022 that prompted the hearings. They will examine the legal ramifications of Israel’s “prolonged occupation, settlement, and annexation” of Palestinian territory; Israel’s “adoption of related discriminatory legislation and measures”; and Israel’s “ongoing violation” of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, according to the International Court of Justice. The proceedings violate “Israel’s right to defend itself against existential threats,” according to a statement posted on social media by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Human rights organizations assert that Israel has been in control of the Palestinian territories since 1967, including the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza. Amnesty International refers to this as “the longest and one of the most deadly military occupations in the world.”
Legality of Occupation
Israel claims that since it left and gave up control of the Gaza Strip in 2005, it no longer “occupies” the region. Human rights organizations, however, assert that it has kept control over the region in other ways, such as by enforcing a blockade that was put in place after the terrorist organization Hamas seized it in 2007. There are an estimated 700,000 Israelis residing in settlements in the West Bank that have grown under Netanyahu and are regarded as illegal by the international world. In the West Bank, where Palestinians have seen unprecedented levels of violence following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, the Biden administration slapped penalties this month on Israeli settlers who are allegedly responsible for attacks. Human rights organizations claim that among other rights breaches, Palestinians living in the West Bank are subjected to disproportionate force, arbitrary detentions, land seizures, and widespread monitoring. The Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, choked back tears as he urged the court to move toward “a future in which Palestinian children are treated as children, not as a demographic threat” and “to guide the international community in upholding international law, ending injustice and achieving a just and lasting peace.”
Perspectives and Arguments
For many years, the Palestinian people “have endured both colonialism and apartheid,” according to Foreign Minister Riad Malki. “The use of these words has outraged some people,” he stated. “The reality we live in should outrage them instead.” Representatives from ten nations, including South Africa, Bangladesh, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, and others, addressed on Tuesday. South Africa is spearheading a different lawsuit at the ICJ that claims Israel carried out genocide in Gaza. Israel has refuted the assertions. Vusimuzi Madonsela, the ambassador of South Africa to the Netherlands, charged that Israel was upholding a “more extreme form” of apartheid than had previously been practiced in his nation. Israel “discriminates against and fragments all Palestinian people to ensure the maintenance of Israeli Jewish domination,” he claimed during South Africa’s court presentation.
Implications for the Region
“There can be no serious debate that Israeli policies and practices also amount to racial discrimination and are tantamount to apartheid, in grave violation of the Palestinian people’s human rights,” stated Saudi Arabia’s envoy, echoing South Africa’s concerns. One of the few nations to support Israel during the ICJ proceedings was the United States. Richard Visek, a State Department official, told the court that “movement toward Israel’s withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza requires consideration of Israel’s very real security needs.” Hungary said that tensions might rise even further as a result of the proceedings. France, one of the most vocal Western allies of the Palestinians during the Gaza War, referred to Israel’s settlement practices as “illegal.” Ambassador Diégo Colas, the nation’s delegate, stated in court that Israel has a duty to defend the Palestinian people.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The magnitude of Israel’s violation of this principle can be seen in the brutal total devastation of Gaza that occurred today, following years of enforcing the medieval techniques of embargo and siege, according to Egyptian Foreign Ministry Legal Counselor Jasmine Moussa.