Scholz says Berlin has not yet decided to halt arms supply to 'Israel'
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When asked if the ICJ declaration referring to Israeli settlements as unlawful would impact Germany's decision, Scholz cited his government has yet to give a judgment on the issue.
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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addresses the media during his summer press conference in Berlin, Germany, on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (AP)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Germany has not decided to terminate its arms supply to "Israel" despite the United Nations' highest court decision on the occupation's position in the occupied West Bank and al-Quds.
When asked if the ICJ declaration referring to Israeli settlements as unlawful would impact Germany's decision, Scholz said his government has yet to give a judgment on the issue.
"But, of course, we decide on a case-by-case basis," he stated during an annual summer press conference.
On July 19, the ICJ's verdict ruled that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories in 1967, i.e. al-Quds and the West Bank, amounts to "de facto annexation", with "Israel's" settlement activities violating international regulations. In this context, a senior Australian government official said the matter "can't be ignored."
The ICJ determined that "Israel's" continued presence in these areas is illegal and must end immediately. Furthermore, the ICJ declared that all states have a duty not to acknowledge the "legal legitimacy" of the situation created by this unlawful presence.
Despite "Israel's" claim that the verdict was "not legally binding" and "blatantly one-sided", an Australian government source stated that the ICJ's advisory opinion had "significant authority under international law."
Last month, a study conducted by the Forsa Institute for the weekly Stern revealed that the majority of Germans are opposed to "Israel's" war on Gaza.
In May, over 30 human rights groups called on Germany to halt all arms supplies to the Israeli occupation and put more effort into effectuating a ceasefire in Gaza.
Germany is "Israel's" second major arms supplier behind the US. In March, the SIPRI institute reported that 69% of "Israel's" arms acquisitions in 2023 came from US corporations and 30% came from Germany.
Australia troubled, Japan sanctions settlers
The Australian government is becoming increasingly concerned about "Israel's" "troubling pattern" of actions and has not ruled out a more robust response, including fines against settlers.
Australian sources cited that the government has not ruled out sanctions on settlers, as several allies have done. "Extremist settlers" who wish to visit Australia may also be denied visas, but the consequences would go further.
Japan has, to an extent, shown its support for the people of Palestine and has criticized the Israeli occupation during the regime's ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip.
For the first time,it imposed asset-freeze sanctions against four Israeli settlers in connection with their violence in the West Bank, the Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday.
The United States is "Israel's" largest support in terms of military and financial aid for its genocide in Gaza. However, on July 10, the US slapped fresh sanctions on Israeli settlers for violence against Palestinians, in addition to financial restrictions on four West Bank settlement outposts.
The State Department also blacklisted Lehava, which it defined as the "largest violent extremist organization in Israel" with over 10,000 members.
In Belgium, the 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, citing that Belgium will always stand up for the respect of international law.
"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.
