ICJ must declare the Israeli occupation illegal: Palestinian FM
4 Min Read
Speaking at the ICJ, Riyad al-Maliki reaffirms that Palestinians living under occupation and Israeli apartheid suffer greatly, and the world has a moral duty toward them.
-
Riyad al-Maliki, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian Authority, gives a statement after the UN's highest court opened historic hearings, in The Hague, Netherlands, Feb. 19, 2024. (AP)
Calling on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) judges to declare the Israeli occupation illegal and "immediately, totally and unconditionally" bring the Israeli occupation to an end, the Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki told the UN's top court, on Monday, that the Palestinian people are suffering from "colonialism and apartheid" under the Israeli occupation government.
"The Palestinians have endured colonialism and apartheid... There are those who are enraged by these words. They should be enraged by the reality we are suffering," al-Maliki said, addressing the ICJ.
The ICJ is conducting hearings throughout the week to assess the legal consequences of the Israeli 75-year-long occupation, with the ICJ focusing specifically on the past 57 years of the occupation, beginning in 1967, with an unprecedented 52 nations, including the United States and Russia, anticipated to present evidence.
"Justice delayed is justice denied and the Palestinian people have been denied justice for far too long," al-Maliki said, adding, "It is time to put an end to the double standards that have kept our people captive for far too long."
Al-Maliki then stressed that "the genocide underway in Gaza is a result of decades of impunity and inaction," reaffirming that "ending Israel's impunity is a moral, political and legal imperative."
On his part, the Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour, with tear-filled eyes, called for a "future where Palestinian children are treated as children, not as a demographic threat."
It is noteworthy that the ICJ has been tasked with examining the repercussions of what it characterizes as "Israel's" "implementation of discriminatory legislation and measures."
Additionally, the ICJ is expected to advise on how the Israeli occupation's actions impact "affect the legal status of the occupation" and the implications for the United Nations and other nations. The court is set to deliver an "urgent" ruling on the matter, likely by the year's end.
'Israel' not abiding by ICJ orders of avoiding genocide: UN official
On February 10, UN special rapporteur on the occupied territories, Francesca Albanese, declared that "Israel" is violating orders issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to immediately protect Palestinians’ rights and cease all activities amounting to genocide.
"Israel" has until February 23 to hand over a report to the ICJ regarding its compliance with the six orders issued.
"Israel" is required to “take all measures within its power to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide” against Palestinians in Gaza, after proof was found of “discernibly genocidal and dehumanizing rhetoric coming from senior Israeli government officials."
The ICJ orders also obliged it to “take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance."
"Israel" was also ordered to prevent the killing of Palestinians, causing serious bodily or mental harm, inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part, and imposing measures intended to prevent births - all within the context of the Genocide Convention.
However, some lawyers see that the aforementioned crimes are not forbidden as long as the occupation conducts them without genocidal intent, and "Israel" stated its belief that the court will not test in full. Albanese, however, said otherwise.
Despite the court ruling, Albanese stated that the vicious violence and demolition of residential infrastructure have not ceased.
Read more: ICJ rejects additional measures in Rafah genocide case
