Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal, Hague court says

The ICJ (International Court of Justice), better known as the Hague Court, ruled on Friday (19) that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories violates international law and is therefore illegal. In response to a request for analysis by the UN General Assembly, the body stated that Israel must vacate “as soon as possible” areas such as the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.

“Israel’s transfer of settlers to the West Bank and Jerusalem, as well as Israel’s continued presence there, is contrary to Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention,” the court, which is based in The Hague, Netherlands, said. According to the court, the new advances into Palestinian territories are a “grave concern.”

“The State of Israel has the obligation to put an end to its illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territories as soon as possible,” the statement added. The Court added that the country must also “immediately cease all new settlement activities,” “evacuate all settlers” and “compensate all victims, with restitution and compensation, for the damage caused.”

The ICJ decision is advisory and symbolic in nature, but represents a new defeat for Israel’s image amid the conflict in Gaza. Under Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, the country has offended public opinion with its genocidal attacks in Gaza and has been the target of repudiation in several international forums. The bombings have already caused the deaths of more than 40,000 Palestinians.

According to the UN General Assembly, since 1967, following the Six-Day War, Israel has maintained a “prolonged occupation” of territories claimed for the Palestinian State. Massive settlements have followed the annexation.

Consultation with the ICJ began in 2022, before the start of the conflict in Gaza. Of the more than 50 UN member states heard last February, the vast majority were against the occupation and in favor of Israeli withdrawal from the territories. Some nations, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, considered that the Court in The Hague should not rule on the case.

Earlier this year, the ICJ had already approved a motion by South Africa to consider the Israeli offensive in Gaza an act of genocide. The credibility of the State of Israel before the international community has never been so much in question.