Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories illegal, says UN court

Advisory opinion not binding but carries weight under global law and may weaken support for Israel

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The United Nations’ highest court said on July 19 that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and settlements there are illegal and should be withdrawn as soon as possible, in its strongest findings to date on the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

The advisory opinion by judges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), known as the World Court, is not binding but carries weight under international law and may weaken support for Israel.

“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,” ICJ president Nawaf Salam said, reading the findings of a 15-judge panel.

The court said Israel’s obligations include paying restitution for harm and “the evacuation of all settlers from existing settlements”.

In a swift reaction, Israel’s Foreign Ministry rejected the opinion as “fundamentally wrong” and one-sided, and repeated its stance that a political settlement in the region can be reached only by negotiations.

“The Jewish nation cannot be an occupier in its own land,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.