Latest news with #IsraelOccupation
Arab News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Israel continues to flout world court ruling on its occupation
One year ago on Saturday, the International Court of Justice issued a landmark advisory opinion. The world's highest interstate court determined on July 19, 2024, that Israel's occupation of the West Bank including East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip was 'unlawful' and must be brought to an end. The key paragraph was crystal clear. It stated: 'The sustained abuse by Israel of its position as an occupying power, through annexation and an assertion of permanent control over the Occupied Palestinian Territory and continued frustration of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, violates fundamental principles of international law and renders Israel's presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory unlawful.' It also ruled that Israel's discriminatory legislation and measures are also in breach of international law. They constituted a breach of Article 3 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which prohibits racial segregation and apartheid. This was an authoritative determination on the state of the law on a specific issue. It was fortified by a UN General Assembly resolution last September endorsing the advisory opinion and demanding that the Israeli occupation ends by September 2025. There is more chance of Benjamin Netanyahu knocking on the doors of the International Criminal Court and saying, 'here I am, arrest me, I am guilty as charged,' than there is of that happening. Israel has to dismantle its settlements and evacuate settlers. It has to do so immediately. And its military presence also needs to be withdrawn. The court determined that Israel owes full reparation for all the damage done by its illegal acts since 1967. Working out the exact compensation due will be some process, but the end figure will have many digits. The court determined that Israel owes full reparation for all the damage done by its illegal acts since 1967 Chris Doyle Showing the sort of contempt that might be expected from a government perpetrating genocide in Gaza, Israel has simply doubled down on its occupation. Settlements are expanding faster than ever, with approval for the doomsday settlement of E1 east of Jerusalem going forward apace. Settler violence is off the charts, with more than 740 settler attacks in the first half of 2025, according to the UN. Demolitions are a daily event. Israel has forcibly displaced more than 40,000 Palestinians in the West Bank alone, as well as nearly the entire population of Gaza. Rather than end the occupation, the Israeli government is pushing relentlessly toward annexation. Occupation in and of itself is not illegal. It may even be necessary. But it is meant to be temporary and is governed by international law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949. At the time the court's opinion was issued, Israel's occupation had lasted a jaw-dropping 57 years and involved the insertion of 750,000 settlers into occupied territory. But the court also went further. It determined that Israel had violated the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which prohibits racial segregation and apartheid. It was the ultimate legal determination as to Israel's crimes and unlawful conduct across the whole of the Occupied Territories. There is no higher judicial body to make such a determination. Major powers are under an obligation to prevent and to punish genocide when other states are perpetrating such acts Chris Doyle But who refers to the occupation as unlawful? The US, of course, refuses, as it barely even acknowledges the occupation, a head-in-the-sand legal position. The UK government promised Parliament it would issue a formal response to this — a pledge repeated multiple times. But it seems that 365 days is insufficient time for the government to develop the courage to publish its response, as sources have told this author that a draft has been ready for months. Remarkably, the UK government has stated at the UN that it does not disagree with the central findings of the advisory opinion. The awkwardness of the double negative sums up the awkwardness of the position. Ministers cannot even outline what they consider to be the central findings. Has the media changed how it describes the Occupied Territories? Certainly not the BBC or CNN. This was barely mentioned. It is as if it is still treated as a disputed issue, as opposed to a settled matter of legal certainty. The lack of respect for the International Court of Justice is also exhibited in the abject refusal of Israel to adhere to the provisional measures the court ordered on three occasions under the Genocide Convention between January and May 2024. Major powers have not insisted Israel do so either, even though they are under an obligation to prevent and to punish genocide when other states are perpetrating such acts. Israel should have taken all measures to prevent genocidal acts and ensure the unhindered provision of humanitarian aid, including food, water, electricity, fuel, shelter, clothing, hygiene and sanitation requirements, and medical supplies. Instead, Israel has, as a matter of declared policy, blocked this. Many governments pay lip service to upholding international law when it comes to Israel. It is time for those who do care to expose this hypocrisy for what it is.
Arab News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
UK MPs demand government respond to ICJ Israel ruling
LONDON: A group of 112 MPs has written to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer asking for the government to publish its response to the International Court of Justice's advisory ruling on Israel's occupation from July 19, 2024. The letter, also addressed to Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Attorney General Lord Hermer, demanded that the government issue its reply to the ruling immediately, and 'address the unlawful situation occurring in the OPT (Occupied Palestinian Territories), as well its own obligations under international law.' Calling the ICJ judgement 'groundbreaking,' the letter said it 'made crystal clear determinations' that Israel's 'presence in the OPT, including Gaza, is unlawful and its policies and practices are incompatible with international law.' It added that the opinion declared that 'all Israeli settlements are illegal and must be withdrawn immediately,' that 'Israel owes full reparation for all damage of its illegal acts since 1967,' and that 'other states are obliged to not provide any sort of aid or assistance that maintains Israel's unlawful presence in the OPT, referring to Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.' Signatories include former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, Sir Winston Churchill's grandson Lord Soames, and three bishops of the Church of England. They reminded the government that the Foreign Office stated in the aftermath of the ruling's release that it would consider the matter 'carefully before responding,' and that: 'The UK respects the independence of the ICJ ... The UK is strongly opposed to the expansion of illegal settlements and rising settler violence.' The letter continued that the ICJ's ruling established the 'unlawfulness' of Israel's actions as fact, and that the UK has a 'legal duty to ensure that the government and British entities take all necessary steps to ensure that we are not complicit with this unlawful situation. 'This is particularly pertinent given the seriousness of the situation, the continued and increasing Israeli violations of international law, as well as the increase in illegal settlements.' It added: 'Between November 2023 — October 2024, Israel established 57 new settlements and outposts. However, the UK needs to not just denounce the rise in settlements but the mere existence of them, as regards the ICJ advisory opinion. 'The failure of the government to publish its response on the advisory opinion and address the unlawful situation occurring in the OPT, as well its own obligations under international law to avoid complicity, needs to be rectified.' So far, beyond the Foreign Office's pledge to respond, the government's only comment on the matter has been an Oct. 22 statement that: 'The UK does not disagree with the central findings of the International Court of Justice's Advisory Opinion on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.' Sixteen organizations, including the Council for Arab-British Understanding, have also written to the government demanding action to halt any UK complicity in Israeli violations of Palestinian rights. Caabu Director Chris Doyle said: 'It is an utter nonsense that a year on from this historic advisory opinion that the government has not issued its formal response. 'Sources have told Caabu that the legal response was drafted months ago. It is also not that complex a legal document based on many previous legal opinions. 'What it highlights is the government's continued aversion to hold Israel to account, its failure to uphold international law and respect these international judicial institutions as it claims it does.' On Wednesday, Lammy appeared in front of the International Development Select Committee, where he was asked why the government had yet to respond to the ICJ ruling. 'It's an 83-page opinion,' Lammy replied, 'so it's right that the lawyers that you'd expect within government assist and do the work that you'd expect them to do.'
The Guardian
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
UN's Albanese hails 30-nation meeting aimed at ending Israeli occupation of Palestine
The UN rapporteur hit with sanctions by the US last week has vowed not to be silenced as she hailed a 30-nation conference aimed at ending Israel's occupation of Palestine as 'the most significant political development in the past 20 months'. Francesca Albanese will say the two-day gathering in Bogotá, Colombia, starting on Tuesday and including China, Spain and Qatar, comes at 'an existential hour' for Israel and the Palestinian people. The aim of the conference is to set out steps the participating countries can take to implement a UN general assembly motion mandating member states to take measures in support of Israel ending its unlawful occupation of Palestine. The motion set a deadline of September 2025 to implement a July 2024 international court of justice advisory opinion that Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories was unlawful. The ICJ said in its advisory opinion that 'Israel's security concerns do not override the principle of the prohibition of the acquisition of territory by force' and called on it to end its occupation 'as rapidly as possible'. It said UN member states had an obligation 'not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by Israel's illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territory'. The UK has yet to say what steps if any it is required to take in response to the ICJ opinion. The Colombian president and conference host, Gustavo Petro, says the meeting will show that the world is finally moving from condemnation of Israel's military action to collective action to bring it to a halt. The aim is to agree a detailed plan of political, economic and legal actions, but there are range of views over how far states can go politically or legally to isolate Israel, a country that feels secure so long as it maintains US support. The Hague Group was initially brought together by South Africa and Colombia, but since then support has grown and it now includes Algeria, Brazil, Spain, Indonesia and Qatar. Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, is determined to show that the US state department sanctions will not cow her. 'For too long, international law has been treated as optional – applied selectively to those perceived as weak, ignored by those acting as the powerful. This double standard has eroded the very foundations of the legal order. That era must end,' she will say in Bogotá. 'The world will remember what we, states and individuals, did in this moment – whether we recoiled in fear or rose in defence of human dignity. Here in Bogotá, a growing number of states have the opportunity to break the silence and revert to a path of legality by finally saying: enough. Enough impunity. Enough empty rhetoric. Enough exceptionalism. Enough complicity. The time has come to act in pursuit of justice and peace – grounded in rights and freedoms for all, and not mere privileges for some, at the expense of the annihilation of others.' Albanese will say that the UN charter and universal human rights instruments must remain everyone's compass. 'I trust that more states will align their policies with these fundamental principles as we move forward in this existential hour – for both the Palestinian and the Israeli people, and the integrity of the international legal order itself,' she will say. The sanctions on Albanese were imposed by the US state department for what it called her 'shameful promotion' of action by the international criminal court against the US and Israel. Albanese will directly address the sanctions in Bogotá. 'These attacks shall not be seen as against me personally. They are a warning to everyone who dares defend international justice and freedom. But we cannot afford to be silenced – and I know I am not alone,' she will say. 'This is not about me or any other single individuals but about justice for the Palestinian people at the most critical juncture in their history.' In an article for the Guardian published last week, Petro framed the stakes of the conference. 'We can either stand firm in defence of the legal principles that seek to prevent war and conflict, or watch helplessly as the international system collapses under the weight of unchecked power politics,' he wrote. A Hague Group conference in January attended by only nine nations committed to implementing the provisional measures of the international court of justice, issued on 26 January, 28 March and 24 May 2024. In practice this meant measures such arms embargos against Israel by preventing the docking of vessels at any port, if applicable, within their territorial jurisdiction. Varsha Gandikota-Nellutla, the executive secretary of the Hague Group, said: 'We meet in Bogotá with a twin imperative: to end Israel's impunity and sever the cords of complicity. The international court of justice has already made its rulings, deeming Israel's continued presence in the Palestinian territories as unlawful. There is no absence of legal clarity. 'States will now deliberate how to enforce their obligations – from ceasing arms exports and preventing harbour for vessels carrying military equipment to ensuring justice for all victims.'
Arab News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
‘Existential hour' for Palestine at 30-country conference in Colombia
LONDON: A 30-country conference aimed at ending Israel's occupation of Palestine is one of the most significant political developments of the past 20 months, UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese has said. The two-day event starts on Tuesday in the Colombian capital Bogota, and will be attended by representatives from countries including China, Spain and Qatar. Albanese will announce that the conference comes at 'an existential hour,' The Guardian reported on Tuesday. Participating countries will use the event to lay the groundwork for implementing a UN General Assembly motion calling on member states to pressure Israel into ending its illegal occupation of Palestine. The motion included a deadline of September for putting into action the International Court of Justice's 2024 opinion that found Israel's occupation of Palestine to be unlawful. The court's advisory opinion last July called on Israel to end its occupation 'as rapidly as possible.' UN member states also have an obligation 'not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by Israel's illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territory,' it found. Conference host Gustavo Petro, Colombia's president, said the meeting will demonstrate a global will to move from condemnation to collective action against Israel. In an article for The Guardian last week, he said: 'We can either stand firm in defense of the legal principles that seek to prevent war and conflict, or watch helplessly as the international system collapses under the weight of unchecked power politics.' The Hague Group behind the conference was initially established by Colombia and South Africa, but now includes Spain, Qatar, Indonesia, Algeria and Brazil. The group met in January at a nine-country conference and agreed to implement the ICJ's provisional measures. Albanese will tell the Bogota meeting: 'For too long, international law has been treated as optional — applied selectively to those perceived as weak, ignored by those acting as the powerful. This double standard has eroded the very foundations of the legal order. That era must end. 'The world will remember what we, states and individuals, did in this moment — whether we recoiled in fear or rose in defense of human dignity. 'Here in Bogota, a growing number of states have the opportunity to break the silence and revert to a path of legality by finally saying: enough. Enough impunity. Enough empty rhetoric. Enough exceptionalism. Enough complicity. 'The time has come to act in pursuit of justice and peace — grounded in rights and freedoms for all, and not mere privileges for some, at the expense of the annihilation of others.'
The Guardian
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
UN's Albanese hails 30-nation meeting aimed at ending Israeli occupation of Palestine
The UN rapporteur hit with sanctions by the US last week has vowed not to be silenced as she hailed a 30-nation conference aimed at ending Israel's occupation of Palestine as 'the most significant political development in the past 20 months'. Francesca Albanese will say the two-day gathering in Bogotá, Colombia, starting on Tuesday and including China, Spain and Qatar, comes at 'an existential hour' for Israel and the Palestinian people. The aim of the conference is to set out steps the participating countries can take to implement a UN general assembly motion mandating member states to take measures in support of Israel ending its unlawful occupation of Palestine. The motion set a deadline of September 2025 to implement a July 2024 international court of justice advisory opinion that Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories was unlawful. The ICJ said in its advisory opinion that 'Israel's security concerns do not override the principle of the prohibition of the acquisition of territory by force' and called on it to end its occupation 'as rapidly as possible'. It said UN member states had an obligation 'not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by Israel's illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territory'. The UK has yet to say what steps if any it is required to take in response to the ICJ opinion. The Colombian president and conference host, Gustavo Petro, says the meeting will show that the world is finally moving from condemnation of Israel's military action to collective action to bring it to a halt. The aim is to agree a detailed plan of political, economic and legal actions, but there are range of views over how far states can go politically or legally to isolate Israel, a country that feels secure so long as it maintains US support. The Hague Group was initially brought together by South Africa and Colombia, but since then support has grown and it now includes Algeria, Brazil, Spain, Indonesia and Qatar. Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, is determined to show that the US state department sanctions will not cow her. 'For too long, international law has been treated as optional – applied selectively to those perceived as weak, ignored by those acting as the powerful. This double standard has eroded the very foundations of the legal order. That era must end,' she will say in Bogotá. 'The world will remember what we, states and individuals, did in this moment – whether we recoiled in fear or rose in defence of human dignity. Here in Bogotá, a growing number of states have the opportunity to break the silence and revert to a path of legality by finally saying: enough. Enough impunity. Enough empty rhetoric. Enough exceptionalism. Enough complicity. The time has come to act in pursuit of justice and peace – grounded in rights and freedoms for all, and not mere privileges for some, at the expense of the annihilation of others.' Albanese will say that the UN charter and universal human rights instruments must remain everyone's compass. 'I trust that more states will align their policies with these fundamental principles as we move forward in this existential hour – for both the Palestinian and the Israeli people, and the integrity of the international legal order itself,' she will say. The sanctions on Albanese were imposed by the US state department for what it called her 'shameful promotion' of action by the international criminal court against the US and Israel. Albanese will directly address the sanctions in Bogotá. 'These attacks shall not be seen as against me personally. They are a warning to everyone who dares defend international justice and freedom. But we cannot afford to be silenced – and I know I am not alone,' she will say. 'This is not about me or any other single individuals but about justice for the Palestinian people at the most critical juncture in their history.' In an article for the Guardian published last week, Petro framed the stakes of the conference. 'We can either stand firm in defence of the legal principles that seek to prevent war and conflict, or watch helplessly as the international system collapses under the weight of unchecked power politics,' he wrote. A Hague Group conference in January attended by only nine nations committed to implementing the provisional measures of the international court of justice, issued on 26 January, 28 March and 24 May 2024. In practice this meant measures such arms embargos against Israel by preventing the docking of vessels at any port, if applicable, within their territorial jurisdiction. Varsha Gandikota-Nellutla, the executive secretary of the Hague Group, said: 'We meet in Bogotá with a twin imperative: to end Israel's impunity and sever the cords of complicity. The international court of justice has already made its rulings, deeming Israel's continued presence in the Palestinian territories as unlawful. There is no absence of legal clarity. 'States will now deliberate how to enforce their obligations – from ceasing arms exports and preventing harbour for vessels carrying military equipment to ensuring justice for all victims.'
