Second day of ICJ hearing: Saudi Arabia condemns Israel’s actions in Palestinian territories as ‘legally indefensible’
The second day of oral hearings on the legal implications of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory began on Tuesday at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Representatives from South Africa, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, Bangladesh, and Belgium gave preliminary arguments.
It is said to be the largest case before the ICJ, with more than 50 countries hearing arguments, and at least three international organizations scheduled to address the justices at the UN Supreme Court until February 26. A non-binding legal opinion is expected to be published in the coming months. The judge’s deliberations.
On Monday, the Palestinian delegation clarified its position on the legal implications of Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. They argued that the occupation was illegal and must be stopped immediately, unconditionally, and completely.
Israel abstained from attending the hearing, but issued a five-page written statement citing prejudicial questions posed by the UN General Assembly and expressing concern that the advisory opinion would impede attempts to resolve the conflict. submitted.
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12:35 PM GMT Belgian legal expert condemns Israel’s settlement policy as a violation of international law
Belgian legal expert Vaios Koutourlis emphasized Israel’s aim to bring about permanent demographic change in the Palestinian territories and condemned Israel’s settlement policy.
Koutourlis emphasized that Israel’s settlement policy violates basic principles of international law, including the prohibition of acquiring territory by force and the right to self-determination.
He pointed out that the establishment of settlements leads to the creation of two separate institutions, one for settlers and one for Palestinians, which exacerbates inequality.
Belgium condemns the violence against Palestinians and calls on Israel to halt settlement operations, recover confiscated property and bring perpetrators of the violence to justice.
Mr. Koutouris called on third countries to refrain from recognizing the legality of the situation, withhold aid, and work together to end violations of international law.
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12:10pm GMT Bangladesh says Israel cannot use self-defense to justify its actions
The representative of Bangladesh, Riaz Hamidullah, touched on the ongoing situation in the Palestinian territories, stressing that the principle of self-defense cannot justify a long-term occupation.
Israel’s occupation contradicts three fundamental pillars of international law: the right to self-determination, the prohibition of the acquisition of territory by force, and the prohibition of racial discrimination and apartheid.
In compliance with international law, any occupation must be temporary and any territorial acquisitions are illegal. The extension of Israel’s occupation, coupled with its territorial expansion, is a violation of international law.
Hamidullah stressed that the right to self-defense cannot excuse violations of international law, including the right to self-determination. Israel’s denial of Palestinian self-determination has led to widespread condemnation and hindered prospects for peace.
He called on Israel to stop all acts that impede Palestinian self-determination, including discriminatory legislation and military presence, and to compensate for the damage caused.
Hamidullah called on all countries to ensure that all legal barriers to self-determination end and that they do not recognize or support Israel’s illegal actions. Cooperation among states is essential to forcing Israel to comply with international law.
He also urged the United Nations Security Council to consider further action to end the occupation and stressed the urgency of dismantling the apartheid system in place.
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11:15 a.m. (Greenwich Mean Time) Netherlands confirms Palestinians’ right to self-determination
Rene Lefebver, representative of the Netherlands at the ICJ, confirmed the court’s jurisdiction and emphasized the universal right to self-determination outlined in the United Nations Charter.
He emphasized how prolonged occupation undermines this principle, and also referred to the conditions of legitimacy for occupying foreign territory.
Lefebvre concluded that occupations that do not meet these standards risk violating the prohibition on the use of force.
Lefebvre said the occupying power is prohibited from moving populations within occupied territory, which under the Rome Statute constitutes a war crime.
Once an occupation begins, the occupying power must protect civilians, he added.
Mr. Lefever, on behalf of the Netherlands, said that serious violations of international norms should be addressed at the United Nations and that, if necessary, States should not recognize or support such violations and end the illegal situation. We concluded that we must work together to achieve this goal.
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10:45 a.m. (Greenwich Mean Time) Saudi Arabia condemns Israel’s actions in Palestinian territories as legally indefensible
Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the Netherlands, Ziad al-Attiyah, strongly criticized Israel’s actions in the occupied Palestinian territories, saying they were legally indefensible.
Mr. Al-Attiyah stressed the importance of holding Israel accountable for its disregard for international law, particularly regarding its treatment of civilians and continued impunity in the Gaza Strip.
Saudi Arabia expressed deep concern over the killing of civilians and rejected Israel’s claims of self-defense, saying it was unjust to deprive Palestinians of their basic means of survival.
Al-Attiyah accused Israel of dehumanizing Palestinians and committing genocide against them, and called on the international community to take action.
Regarding the court’s jurisdiction, Al-Attiyah argued that its claim to jurisdiction was baseless and asked the court to issue an opinion on the matter.
Saudi Arabia accused Israel of continuing to ignore ceasefire calls and interim measures, expanding illegal settlements and expelling Palestinians from their homelands.
Saudi Arabia highlighted Israel’s violations of its international obligations, including ignoring UN resolutions condemning Israel’s actions and preventing Palestinians from exercising their right to self-defense.
Israel’s intention to maintain and expand illegal settlements, as evidenced by the 2018 Basic Law that declared Jerusalem its capital, was also criticized as undermining Palestinian self-determination.
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10:15 a.m. (Greenwich Mean Time) Algeria opposes long-term occupation of Palestinian territory
Algeria’s legal representative, Ahmed Laraba, appeared before the ICJ to express Algeria’s position against the permanent occupation of the Palestinian territories. In his speech, Mr. Laraba highlighted the complexities surrounding the concept of long-term occupation, highlighting its legal basis and historical background.
Laraba referred to Article 42 of the 1907 Hague Convention and emphasized the indisputable basis of the concept of occupation, as recognized by the Court in its previous opinion. He emphasized the temporary nature of the occupation, which was originally conceived to manage the post-conflict situation and facilitate a peace agreement.
Laraba pointed out the contradiction between the intended transitional government and the reality of long-term occupation, noting that the drafters at the time did not foresee peaceful coexistence between occupiers and occupied. This discomfort highlights the complexities and challenges involved in dealing with the long-term occupation of the Palestinian territories.
Algeria’s intervention at the ICJ serves to advocate a comprehensive understanding of the legal, historical and humanitarian aspects of the occupation issue. Laraba’s arguments contribute to the ongoing debate surrounding the search for justice and resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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9:40am (Greenwich Mean Time) South Africa shifts focus to Palestinians’ right to self-determination
Peter Andreas Stemmett, Deputy Chief National Law Adviser at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, announced South Africa’s determination to defend the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
Stemmett emphasized that the United Nations has repeatedly recognized the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. He condemned Israel’s expansion of settlement activity, saying it violated Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, to which Israel is a party.
In addressing concerns about the possibility of apartheid in Israel, Stemmett cited the case Namibia v. South Africa, in which the court held that race-based exceptions and limitations constitute a denial of fundamental rights, consistent with the principles of the United Nations Charter. It was ruled that there was a violation.
Stemmett stressed that the scope of Israel’s violations is well-documented and reiterated that the prohibition of apartheid applies universally, including in Israel.
Mr. Stemmett called attention to the legal implications of Israel’s continued occupation of Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, citing South Africa’s illegal presence in Namibia as an example.
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9:15 a.m. (Greenwich Mean Time) South Africa calls for an end to Israel’s violations
South Africa’s Ambassador to the Netherlands Vusimuzi Madonsela underlined the critical importance of this advisory opinion to the Palestinian people and called for an end to Israeli violations of Palestinian territory.
Mr. Madonsela highlighted the long occupation, which lasted more than 50 years and took place in violation of international law and with little international intervention.
He questioned when Israel’s impunity for violations of Israeli rights and international norms would end, especially amid continued attacks on Gaza and Israel’s disregard for legal orders against unrestricted action against Palestinians.
