In a significant shift for the Palestinian cause, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued its advisory opinion on Friday regarding the legal consequences of Israel’s policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.
This decision came at the request of the United Nations General Assembly, which sought the court’s opinion on Israel’s ongoing violations of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination due to prolonged occupation, settlement, and annexation.
Key points from the court’s decision:
- Illegality of the Occupation: The court affirmed that Israel’s continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territories is illegal. It mandated Israel to end its illegal presence as soon as possible, halt new settlement activities, and evacuate all settlers from the occupied territories.
- Compensation: The court emphasized the need for Israel to provide compensation for the damages inflicted on Palestinians due to its policies and practices in the occupied territories.
- International Responsibility: The court called on all states not to recognize the legal status arising from Israel’s illegal presence in the occupied territories and to refrain from providing any support or assistance in maintaining this status. It also underscored the need for the United Nations, especially the General Assembly and the Security Council, to take additional measures to end this illegal situation.
Reactions in Morocco: In Rabat, dozens of Moroccans participated in a protest in front of the parliament building, organized by the Action Group for Palestine, demanding an end to Israel’s ongoing war on the Gaza Strip.
Rachid Fallouli, president of the Moroccan Initiative for Support and Advocacy, stated that the ICJ’s decision represents “a significant shift in the trajectory of the Palestinian cause,” affirming that the decision confirms “the Palestinian people’s right to their land and a new condemnation of the entity that considered itself above the law.”
Fallouli added that this decision is “a new victory for the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian people,” noting that the continued resilience and resistance of the Palestinian people contribute to undermining the legitimacy of the occupation and increasing its international isolation.
Situation in Gaza: At the time of the court’s decision, Israel continues to wage a devastating war on the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths and injuries of over 128,000 Palestinians, in addition to the destruction of thousands of buildings and infrastructure. Participants in the Rabat protest condemned the ongoing Western support for Israel despite the scale of killing and starvation in Gaza, calling on Islamic and Arab countries to take action to stop the war.
International Implications: The ICJ’s decision has sparked significant debate in international circles. In the United Nations Security Council, discussions on the implementation of the decision are expected to intensify, with some diplomats disputing how to execute the decision in a way that achieves diplomatic balance and prevents further escalation of the conflict.
Conclusion: The ICJ’s decision marks a turning point in the Palestinian cause, affirming the illegality of the Israeli occupation and calling for its immediate end. Despite the significant challenges faced by the Palestinian people, there remains hope for achieving justice and peace in the future. This decision strengthens Israel’s international isolation and supports Palestinians’ rights to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state.
