UN court declares Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories illegal

WEB DESK: The United Nations’ highest court has declared that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are illegal under international law.

The advisory opinion, issued on Friday by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), also known as the World Court, holds significant weight despite not being legally binding.

According to the court’s findings, “Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the regime associated with them, have been established and are being maintained in violation of international law.” President Nawaf Salam announced the decision, representing the consensus of the 15-judge panel.

The case was prompted by a 2022 request from the UN General Assembly, which sought an appraisal of the legal consequences of Israel’s “prolonged occupation, settlement, and annexation” of Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, alongside associated Israeli government policies.

This request predates the current Israel-Hamas conflict, highlighting long-standing international concerns over Israeli actions in the region.

While the ICJ’s ruling does not have enforcement power, it underscores the international community’s stance on the legality of Israeli settlements and could influence future diplomatic and legal actions.

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