Israel braces for ICJ ruling on Palestine
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has announced that it will reveal its advisory opinion on the occupation of Palestine on Friday, July 19 at 15:00 local time (16:00 Turkish time). The announcement will be made to the public by the President of the Court, Lebanese Judge Nawaf Salam.
During the oral hearings that took place at the Court from February 19-26, 49 countries, including Turkey, and 3 international organizations presented their perspectives on Israel’s occupation and annexation of Palestinian territories to the Court. The United Nations General Assembly had previously requested an opinion from the ICJ regarding the legal consequences of the Israeli occupation of Palestine since the war in 1967, based on Article 65 of the Statute of the Court.
The questions posed by the UN General Assembly to the Court focused on the legal consequences of Israel’s actions in violating the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, continuing the occupation, and engaging in settlement and annexation activities since 1967. The advisory opinion will shed light on how these actions affect the legal status of the occupation and the implications for all states and the United Nations.
Although advisory opinions from the ICJ are not legally binding, they are influential in shaping international opinions and actions. Previous advisory opinions from the Court have led to changes in behavior from states and organizations, such as the case with Israel’s construction of a wall on Palestinian territory.
If the ICJ determines that the occupation is unlawful and outlines consequences for Israel and other countries, it is expected that pressure on Israel will increase and that countries supporting it will face international scrutiny to reassess their positions.
In related news, Israel continues its attacks on the Gaza Strip, leaving behind a trail of destruction and casualties. Civil defense teams in Gaza have discovered at least 60 lifeless bodies in the aftermath of Israeli operations targeting civilians. The international community is closely watching developments in the region as the ICJ prepares to deliver its crucial advisory opinion.
