The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, believes that the opinion delivered by the International Court of Justice judging Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories since 1967 is “largely consistent” with the positions of the European Union. The presidency of the Palestinian Authority welcomed a “historic” opinion on Friday.
The opinion rendered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) deeming Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories since 1967 illegal is “largely consistent” with the positions of the EU, said the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell on Saturday.
“In a world of constant and increasing violations of international law, it is our moral duty to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to all decisions of the ICJ in a consistent manner, regardless of the subject in question,” adds the High Representative of the ICJ. EU for Foreign Affairs, in a press release. The European Union “takes good note” of this advisory opinion rendered Friday by the highest court of the UN, he explains.
“All States have the obligation not to recognize this situation as legal”
The ICJ concludes that “the continued presence of the State of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory is illegal and must be ended as quickly as possible,” recalls Josep Borrell. “The State of Israel has an obligation to immediately cease all new settlement activities and evacuate all settlers from the occupied Palestinian territory,” he summarizes. And “all States have the obligation not to recognize this situation as legal and not to provide aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by this illegal presence.”
These conclusions of the ICJ “are largely consistent with the positions of the EU which are themselves fully aligned with the UN resolutions concerning the status of the occupied Palestinian territory”, declares the High Representative. The opinion delivered by the International Court of Justice, which sits in The Hague, is not binding, but could further increase international pressure on Israel in the face of the war in the Gaza Strip.
The presidency of the Palestinian Authority welcomed on Friday a “historic” opinion and “a victory”, asking Israel to “end the occupation” and the “settlements”. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, denounced a “false decision”. “Jews are not occupiers in their own land,” he insisted.
This article is originally published on europe1.fr
