Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Russian agency: Russia will conduct a nuclear test if the US does
Al-Nakhalah: We are the rightful owners, and we must fight to retrieve our rights
Al-Nakhalah: The enemy and its allies must know that we can never surrender to their terms and diktats after all the sacrifices made
Al-Nakhalah: The prisoner exchange clause can be completed in the next few days, and thus we will have pulled the [explosion] fuse and removed the enemy's justifications for aggression
Al-Nakhalah: The Resistance has expressed its willingness to negotiate on the basis that there are items that can be dealt with positively, the first of which is the prisoner exchange item
Al-Nakhalah: Trump's plan entails the Palestinian people's declaration of complete surrender to the enemy
PIJ Secretary-General, Ziyad al-Nakhalah, in an address aired on Al Mayadeen: The Resistance is engaging in a fierce negotiating battle under the so-called Trump plan
Russian Federation Council approves joint military cooperation agreement with Cuba
Al-Nunu: Today, the lists of prisoners required to be released, the agreed-upon criteria and numbers, were exchanged
Al-Nunu from Sharm el-Sheikh: Negotiations focused on mechanisms for implementing an end to the war, the withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, and the exchange of prisoners

UN Court to assess repercussions of Israeli occupation

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 18 Feb 2024 08:25
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

An unprecedented 52 nations, including major players like the United States, Russia, and China, are anticipated to present evidence during this week-long session at the Peace Palace in The Hague, home to the ICJ.

  • x
  • UN Court to assess repercussions of Israeli occupation
    A Palestinian carries a child killed in an Israeli strike in Deir el-Balah, the Gaza Strip, Monday, October 23, 2023. (AP)

The highest court of the United Nations is set to commence hearings, on Monday, regarding the legal implications of "Israel's" occupation of the Palestinian territories since 1967. This historic event is anticipated to involve testimony from an unprecedented 52 nations.

Countries such as the United States, Russia, and China are scheduled to present their statements to the judges during a week-long gathering at the Peace Palace in The Hague, which serves as the home of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

In December 2022, the UN General Assembly requested a non-binding "advisory opinion" from the ICJ regarding the "legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem."

Although any opinion issued by the ICJ would not carry legal force, it comes at a time when "Israel" faces increasing international legal scrutiny in the aftermath of its genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza.

The hearings are distinct from a prominent case initiated by South Africa, directing "Israel" to cease all actions and rhetoric amounting to violations of the Genocide Convention,

In January, the ICJ issued a ruling in that case, stating that "Israel" must take all necessary measures to prevent genocide and permit humanitarian aid into Gaza. However, the court did not mandate a ceasefire.

On Friday, the ICJ dismissed South Africa's attempt to impose additional measures on "Israel", but reiterated the importance of implementing the ruling in its entirety.

What are the two inquiries?

The General Assembly has tasked the ICJ with addressing two inquiries.

Firstly, the court is to assess the legal ramifications of "the continuous infringement by Israel of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination."

Related News

Global protests mark Al-Aqsa Flood anniversary, condemn Gaza genocide

Comptroller to grill Netanyahu, ex-security chiefs over Oct 7 failures

This pertains to the "persistent occupation, settlement, and annexation of the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967," and "actions aimed at changing the demographic composition, character, and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem."

The ICJ has also been tasked with examining the outcomes of what it characterized as "Israel's" "implementation of discriminatory legislation and measures related to it."

Secondly, the ICJ is expected to provide guidance on how Israeli actions impact the legal status of the occupation and what implications arise for the UN and other nations.

The court will deliver its judgment on the matter "expeditiously," likely, by the conclusion of the year.

While the International Court of Justice (ICJ) typically delivers binding judgments in state disputes, its rulings lack robust enforcement mechanisms. Notably, in the current case regarding Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, the ICJ's advisory opinion will be non-binding.

As per the court's own statement: "The requesting organ, agency or organization remains free to give effect to the opinion by any means open to it, or not to do so." 

However, advisory opinions from the ICJ are generally heeded.

Previous advisory opinions

The ICJ has rendered advisory opinions on various issues, such as the legality of Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence from Serbia and apartheid South Africa's occupation of Namibia. In 2004, the court declared parts of the separation wall constructed by "Israel" in the occupied Palestinian territory as illegal and recommended their removal.

Unsurprisingly, "Israel" has opted not to take part in the hearings, and expressed strong dissatisfaction with the UN request in 2022. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu labeled it as "despicable" and "disgraceful."

In response to the UN resolution the following week, "Israel" implemented a set of sanctions against the Palestinian Authority, intending to make it "pay the price" for its advocacy.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) emphasized that although advisory opinions lack binding force, they can hold significant moral and legal influence and may eventually become part of international law.

Clive Baldwin, Senior Legal Adviser at HRW, asserted that the hearings should shed light on the serious abuses perpetrated by Israeli authorities against Palestinians, including crimes against humanity such as apartheid and persecution.

Read next: 'Israel' not abiding by ICJ orders of avoiding genocide: UN official

  • Operation Al-Aqsa Flood
  • Palestine
  • UN court
  • IOF
  • South Africa
  • Gaza genocide
  • Israeli occupation
  • Gaza
  • ICJ
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder revealed

Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder exposed

  • Politics
  • 5 Oct 2025
Al-Quds Brigades strike a command and control center north of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, in an undated screengrab from the al-Quds Brigades military media

Gaza resistance announces major operations against Israeli forces

  • Politics
  • 1 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Retired Israeli General Brik says Israel has reached point of no return.
Politics

Retired Israeli General Brik: 'Israel has reached point of no return'

Depleted by foreign wars, US seeks to re-arm for another confrontation
Politics

Depleted by foreign wars, US seeks to re-arm for another confrontation

Gaza’s newborns gasp for life as hospitals collapse amid Israeli war
Health

Gaza newborns gasp for life, share oxygen masks amid collapsed system

UK arms exports to 'Israel' reach record high despite ban calls
Politics

UK arms exports to 'Israel' reach record high despite ban calls

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS