Emmanuel OchayiThe International Court of Justice (ICJ) began hearings regarding the legality of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, with a focus on the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem.
Palestinian representatives argue that the occupation violates international law, citing territorial conquest, denial of self-determination, and allegations of apartheid.
Omar Awadallah, head of the U.N. organizations department in the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, stated, “We want to hear new words from the court. Now we want them to consider apartheid.”
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He emphasized the importance of an advisory opinion from the court in addressing the illegalities of the occupation.
While Israel is not scheduled to speak during the hearings, it is likely to justify the occupation on security grounds. Yuval Shany, a law professor, explained, “There is this narrative that territories from which Israel withdraws, like Gaza, can potentially transform into very serious security risks.”
The case at the ICJ follows a request from the U.N. General Assembly in 2022 for a non-binding advisory opinion on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The majority of countries supported the request, despite vehement opposition from Israel.
The hearings come amid heightened tensions, with Israel continuing its offensive in Gaza. African leaders condemned Israel’s actions, while satellite images showed Egypt constructing a wall near the Gaza Strip.
The outcome of the ICJ hearings could have significant implications for international law, aid to Israel, and public opinion.
However, Israel has previously ignored rulings from the court, such as the 2004 decision on the separation barrier in the West Bank.
In a separate case, the ICJ recently ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide in its campaign in Gaza, following accusations from South Africa. South African representatives are scheduled to speak at the ICJ hearings, drawing parallels between Israel’s policies and the apartheid regime.
The ICJ’s decision, though not legally binding, will shed light on one of the world’s longest-running conflicts and could influence future diplomatic efforts toward a resolution.
