UN judges: Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal

The UN’s top court said on Friday in a non-binding opinion that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories violates international law.

The opinion, from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), said Israel’s settlement policy means Israel is effectively guilty of annexation.

Although not legally binding, the decision is expected to add to the international political pressure on Israel. The decision came from the 15 top UN judges in The Hague, where the court is based.

A record 52 states submitted arguments to the court.

In 2022, the UN General Assembly asked the ICJ to determine the legal consequences of Israel’s occupation of the territories – long before the start of the Israel-Hamas war that erupted last October.

Israel took control of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem during the Six-Day War in 1967.

Israel left Gaza in 2005 but continues to control the coastal territory’s land and sea borders, as well as its airspace.

The number of Israeli settlers in the West Bank, which lies between the Israeli heartland and Jordan, has meanwhile risen to around half a million. Including East Jerusalem, the figure is as high as 700,000.

This is the second legal opinion from the court on Israel’s occupation policy. Twenty years ago, in July 2004, the judges had already declared that the wall built by Israel in the West Bank violated international law and must therefore be dismantled. Israel did not comply with this ruling.

The opinion presented on Friday is separate from another proceeding before the UN court. In 2023, South Africa brought Israel before the court and accused the country of genocide due to the attacks on the Gaza Strip. Israel disputes these allegations.