UN court: Israel's settlement policy is illegal

The Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal, according to the UN's highest court. Israel's settlement policy in the occupied territories also violates international law. Israel is in fact guilty of annexation, the International Court of Justice in The Hague states in a legal opinion.

The opinion is not legally binding. However, it is expected to further increase international political pressure on Israel. This has recently increased considerably due to Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip. Israel is fighting the Islamist Hamas there following the terrorist attack at the beginning of October that left hundreds dead. The war has serious consequences for the civilian population.

The UN General Assembly had instructed the court to clarify the legal consequences of Israel's occupation policy, which has lasted for almost 60 years. This was long before the start of the Gaza war. But Western critics of Israel can now also see themselves strengthened in their efforts to persuade Israel to withdraw and agree to the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Israel occupied the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War. However, the Palestinians claim these territories for their own state. Israel left Gaza again in 2005, but continues to control borders on land, water and in the air.

This is the Court's second legal opinion 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 therefore had to be torn down. However, Israel did not comply.

The expert opinion presented today is independent of the other proceedings before the UN court. South Africa had brought Israel before the court in 2023 and accused the country of genocide for its attacks on the Gaza Strip. Israel denies these accusations.

SDA