The Hague, Netherlands, February 19.- The International Court of Justice (ICJ) today began a review of the legality of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories in a process requested by the United Nations General Assembly to the court.
The hearings, lasting six days, will also analyze the consequences of the occupation in a process independent of the case presented by South Africa that accuses Tel Aviv of committing genocidal acts during its current offensive in Gaza.
However, this week the highest court of the United Nations is expected to analyze evidence presented by fifty countries and several organizations amid increasing pressure to stop military operations in the enclave in response to the Hamas attacks of October 7.
The General Assembly's request includes examination of the legal consequences of “Israel's continued violation of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination” as well as the “prolonged occupation, settlement and annexation of the occupied Palestinian territory since 1967.”
At the same time, the ICJ will study measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem as well as the consequences of Israel's adoption of related discriminatory legislation and measures.
The Court must also advise on how Israel's actions affect the legal status of the occupation along with the consequences for the UN and other countries.
Although the request asks for an urgent high court ruling on the matter, the verdict could take months.
The Palestinian representation began its presentation this Monday and, subsequently, 51 countries and three international organizations will intervene in the case.
The Palestinian legal team assured the panel of international judges that Israel has violated the ban on territorial conquest by annexing large swaths of occupied land and the Palestinians' right to self-determination.
In that sense, they also alleged that the occupying nation has imposed a system of racial discrimination and apartheid. (PL) (Photo: PL/Archive)
