After ICJ ruling, Belgium says will always respect international law
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Belgium's FM indirectly hints that her country will comply with the ICJ's ruling regarding "Israel's" illegal occupation of Palestinian territory and settlement building.
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Belgium's Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib speaks after a meeting of the General Affairs Council at the European Council building in Brussels, on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. (AP)
Belgium will always stand up for the respect of international law, Minister of Foreign Hadja Lahbib affirmed, commenting on the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion that "Israel's" decades-long occupation of Palestinian territory was "illegal" and needed to end as soon as possible.
"The International Court of Justice has ruled that Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territory does not comply with international law and that settlement activity must cease," she posted on her account on X.
The International Court of Justice has ruled that Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territory does not comply with international law and that settlement activity must cease.
— Hadja Lahbib (@hadjalahbib) July 19, 2024
Belgium will always stand up for the respect of international law.
The ICJ said on Friday that it "has found... that Israel's continued presence in the Palestinian Territories is illegal."
ICJ presiding judge Nawaf Salam indicated that "Israel" is "under the obligation to bring to an end its unlawful presence as rapidly as possible."
The court added that "Israel" was "under an obligation to cease immediately all new settlement activities and to evacuate all settlers" from occupied land.
On his part, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell pointed out that the ICJ non-binding ruling is "largely consistent with EU positions."
Borrell said the bloc had taken "good note" of the court's ruling and urged further backing for the top UN court's opinion.
The @CIJ_ICJ Advisory Opinion on the Occupied Palestinian Territory is largely consistent with EU positions.
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) July 20, 2024
In a world of increasing violations of international law, it is our moral duty to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to all ICJ decisions.
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"In a world of constant and increasing violations of international law, it is our moral duty to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to all ICJ decisions in a consistent manner, irrespective of the subject in question," he indicated in a statement.
He mentioned that the ICJ's opinion "will need to be analysed more thoroughly, including in view of its implications for EU policy."
Israeli experts say ICJ opinion bears grave repercussions for 'Israel'
Legal experts in international law have warned of significant political repercussions for "Israel" following the ICJ's ruling.
According to Israeli legal experts consulted by the Israeli daily Haaretz on Saturday, the court's opinion could influence international relations and trade, particularly in the context of the Israeli occupation's security collaborations and arms dealings.
Tamar Megiddo, an international law expert from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, highlighted that the court ruled against the recognition of the status quo in the occupied Palestinian territories and emphasized the responsibility of the UN General Assembly and the Security Council to find ways to end the Israeli presence in these areas.
Megiddo explained that countries being obliged not to assist in maintaining the status quo could pose challenges to the Israeli occupation's security cooperations.
"The court's decision places a significant duty on nations and the United Nations to not support or sustain the existing conditions in the occupied territories," she said.
Shelly Aviv Yeini, an international law expert from the University of Haifa, pointed out the broader implications for the occupation's arms trade.
"The advisory opinion will likely affect Israel's arms trade," she noted, referring to international agreements and laws that prohibit arms trade with parties violating human rights.
Yeini added that "Israel" already faces restrictions from various countries regarding arms trade, and the new opinion is expected to lead to further limitations.
