UN seeks ICJ's opinion on Israel's Palestinian aid obligations

The United Nations General Assembly voted on Dec 19 to ask the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for an opinion on Israel's obligations to facilitate aid to Palestinians that is delivered by states and international groups, including the UN.

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The Norwegian-drafted resolution was adopted by the 193-member body with 137 votes in favour.

Israel, the US and 10 other countries voted no, while 22 countries abstained.

The move came in response to Israel's decision to ban the operation of the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA in the country from late January, and other obstacles faced by other UN agencies in their aid work in Gaza over the past year.

The ICJ, known as the World Court, is the UN's highest court, and its advisory opinions carry legal and political weight although they are not binding. The Hague-based court has no enforcement powers if its opinions are ignored.

The resolution adopted on Dec 19 also expressed "grave concern about the dire humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory" and "calls upon Israel to uphold and comply with its obligations not to impede the Palestinian people from exercising (their) right to self-determination".