Landmark ICJ ruling upholds Palestinians’ rights against Israeli occupation

Responding to the ICJ Opinion on Israel’s Policies in OPT:

Amnesty International’s Erika Guevara Rosas reacts to the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion.

What Does the ICJ Opinion State?

• The ICJ deems Israel’s occupation and annexation of Palestinian territories as unlawful.
• Discriminatory laws and policies against Palestinians violate the prohibition on racial segregation and apartheid.

Implications of the ICJ Opinion:

• Israel uses the occupation to dominate and oppress Palestinians, resulting in mass suffering.
• Cruelty and systematic human rights violations have been endured by Palestinians.

“The ICJ opinion comes at a time when Israel has been flagrantly flouting international humanitarian law on a cataclysmic scale,” said Erika Guevara Rosas.

Call for Action:

• Israel must end its unlawful occupation and halt the expansion of settlements.
• The international community, including Israel’s allies, should take immediate action.

“Ending the occupation is crucial to stop the recurrent pattern of human rights violations,” concluded Erika Guevara Rosas.

Background of the ICJ Opinion:

The advisory opinion comes after an 18-month process, involving public hearings with more than 50 states participating.

The 2004 ICJ advisory opinion on the construction of the separation wall inside the OPT emphasized the violation of international law.

Amnesty International has long advocated against the construction of the wall, citing serious human rights violations.

The international community’s failure to implement the 2004 ICJ recommendations has strengthened Israel’s defiance of international law.