Israel’s settlement policies violate international law, says International Court of Justice
This was a non-binding advisory opinion by the United Nations court.
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Israel’s continued presence in the Palestinian territories violates international law and must end “as rapidly as possible”, the International Court of Justice ruled on Friday, the Associated Press reported.
The United Nations court was referring to Israeli settlements in the West Bank region and East Jerusalem. Israeli settlements in the West Bank began after the Six-Day War in 1967.
The ruling by the court is a non-binding advisory opinion on the legality of Israeli occupation of lands in the Palestinian territory. The case stems from a request made by the United Nations General Assembly in 2022 for an advisory opinion on the matter.
On Friday, the panel of 15 judges from around the world said that “the transfer by Israel of settlers to the West Bank and Jerusalem as well as Israel’s maintenance of their presence, is contrary to Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention”.
The Fourth Geneva Convention deals with protection of civilians in a conflict zone. Article 49 of the convention pertains to deportations, transfers and evacuations.
The International Court of Justice also said that the use of natural resources was “inconsistent” with Israel’s obligations under international law as an occupying power, The Guardian reported.
The ruling came amid Israel’s war on the Palestinian territory of Gaza. Israel’s attacks on the besieged enclave began on...
