Belgium will always stand up for the respect of international law, Minister of Foreign Hadja Lahbib affirmed, commenting on the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion that “Israel’s” decades-long occupation of Palestinian territory was “illegal” and needed to end as soon as possible.
“The International Court of Justice has ruled that Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territory does not comply with international law and that settlement activity must cease,” she posted on her account on X.
The ICJ said on Friday that it “has found… that Israel’s continued presence in the Palestinian Territories is illegal.”
ICJ presiding judge Nawaf Salam indicated that “Israel” is “under the obligation to bring to an end its unlawful presence as rapidly as possible.”
The court added that “Israel” was “under an obligation to cease immediately all new settlement activities and to evacuate all settlers” from occupied land.
On his part, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell pointed out that the ICJ non-binding ruling is “largely consistent with EU positions.”
Borrell said the bloc had taken “good note” of the court’s ruling and urged further backing for the top UN court’s opinion.
“In a world of constant and increasing violations of international law, it is our moral duty to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to all ICJ decisions in a consistent manner, irrespective of the subject in question,” he indicated in a statement.
He mentioned that the ICJ’s opinion “will need to be analysed more thoroughly, including in view of its implications for EU policy.”
Source: AlMayadeen
