Countries condemn 'Israel' before ICJ: 'Israel' must be pursued
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On the third day of hearings on the illegitimacy of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, several countries held the occupation accountable for systematic violations of international laws.
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Judges arrive at the United Nations' highest court to open historic hearings in The Hague, Netherlands, February 19, 2024. (AP)
The Deputy Foreign Minister of Cuba, Anayansi Camejo, said in her speech before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Wednesday that "the Republic of Cuba believes that instead of talking about an apartheid regime, this regime should be pursued on charges of committing genocide in Palestine."
This comes at a time when the ICJ continues to hear arguments for the third day regarding the case concerning the illegitimacy of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.
During her speech, Camejo requested the court to hold "Israel" accountable for systematic violations of international laws across Palestinian territories.
The FM added that "the Convention adopted against genocide imposes sanctions on the perpetrators, and this applies to all those opposing a ceasefire in Gaza now."
Egypt: Situation in West Bank cannot be left amid Israeli violations
On her part, Jasmine Moussa, advisor to the Egyptian Foreign Minister, affirmed that the Palestinian people should be compensated by putting an immediate end to the occupation, annexing the lands, and displacing the inhabitants.
Moussa added that "Egypt's standpoint is that the situation in the West Bank, Gaza, and East al-Quds cannot be left amid Israeli violations," emphasizing that the Israeli occupation constitutes an illegal settlement process.
She continued that the policy of forced displacement is a blatant violation of international laws and is listed under the category of ethnic cleansing.
In turn, Andrea Herrera, Colombia's Ambassador to the Netherlands, said that "Israel violates the UN Charter, occupies Palestinian lands, and deprives its people of the right to self-determination."
Herrera affirmed that "the court has been informed about what is happening in Gaza, a comprehensive war waged by Israel."
Saudi Ambassador urges ICJ to rule on illegality of Israeli occupation
The Saudi Ambassador to the Netherlands, Ziad bin Maashi Al Atiyah, confirmed yesterday that "Israel" has no intent of negotiating with Palestinians, expressing deep frustration over Israeli officials' statements regarding the ethnic cleansing and deliberate displacement of Palestinians.
In a speech in front of the International Court of Justice in The Hague, the ambassador declared that the opinion of all countries part of the Court is very clear, and it is that occupation is "an illegal act", stressing that all Israeli actions in Palestine "cannot be defended."
He also warned about the Court withholding from looking into this case, as this would mean that the system protecting countries will "lose all credibility", urging the ICJ to issue a ruling labeling the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories as illegal.
Al Atiyah further denounced "Israel's" ongoing settlement policies, despite the Court and UN Security Council resolutions emphasizing that the occupation's determination to make al-Quds its own "capital" contradicts the right of Palestinians "to self-determination and establishment of an independent state."
Read more: 'Israeli apartheid worse than what South Africa endured': ICJ hearings
