The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has initiated hearings on the legal consequences of Israel’s policies in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem. The proceedings, titled “Advisory opinion regarding the legal consequences of Israel’s policies and practices,” are taking place from February 19 to 26 at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands. Palestinian representatives are presenting statements during the six-day hearings, while Israel, having submitted written views, is not attending. The ICJ’s opinion, expected at the hearings’ conclusion, won’t be legally binding but is anticipated to increase legal and moral pressure on Israel. The hearings were prompted by a January 17, 2023 request from the UN General Assembly regarding Israel’s continuous violation of Palestinians’ right to self-determination. This follows South Africa’s recent genocide lawsuit against Israel, and the ICJ’s previous ruling on measures to prevent genocide in Gaza. The UN had sought an opinion in 2004, leading to a declaration that Israel’s separation wall in the West Bank violated international law.
Speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, King Abdullah II of Jordan warned that Israel’s expansion of its offensive to include Iran threatens global security, stating, “It is impossible to say where the borders of this battlefield will end. This is a threat to people all over the world.”
He strongly criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza, saying, “Today, the world is in a state of moral collapse. What was once seen as an atrocity—like the bombing of a hospital—has become commonplace. Since then, the WHO has documented nearly 700 attacks on Gaza’s healthcare facilities.”
“The targeting of civilians, health workers, and journalists has become routine. Famine is being used as a weapon against children,” he added.
King Abdullah called on the international community to act not only in Ukraine but also in Palestine: “The world’s longest and most destructive conflict must end. Palestinians deserve freedom, sovereignty, and statehood, like all people.”
He warned that without decisive action, Israeli bulldozers “will also flatten the borders that define moral conduct.” Reaffirming Jordan’s commitment to peace, he said the only solution lies in a just peace based on international law and mutual recognition.
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