The United Nation’s top court filed a ruling Friday that echoed what Palestinian advocates have been saying for decades: Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land, including its settlements in the West Bank, is illegal and must end.
The International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion also called for reparations for Palestinians who have lived under Israel’s occupation since it began in 1967, an unprecedented step for the court.
The court also notably declared Israel’s mistreatment of Palestinians to be a form of segregation and apartheid. It further ruled that nations cannot offer aid in support of the illegal occupation without violating international law, and upheld the Palestinians’ right to self-determination.
This is good news. I hope that it will translate into some effective action.
Edit: Misleading headline. This is an advisory opinion, which appears to be non-binding. I don’t think “ruling” is entirely appropriate.
In general, advisory opinions are not binding, but may inform the development of international law. According to the ICJ website, advisory opinions:
“carry great legal weight and moral authority. They are often an instrument of preventive diplomacy and have peace-keeping virtues. Advisory opinions also, in their way, contribute to the elucidation and development of international law and thereby to the strengthening of peaceful relations between States.”
Even if this were considered binding I’m hardpressed to think the US would play along with it.
I think the best outcome would be if Europe were to lead with the first sanctions on Israel. The US will protest but will be forced to cover their ears when the EU reads off their thorough rationale. Maybe eventually, so long as the Democratic candidate succeeds for 2025, we will see concrete action.
Which Democratic candidate are you thinking of? Surely not the one who has been bankrolling this whole thing so far…
I don’t think any “viable” candidate from any party will support the ICJ judgement.
