UN: Israel’s Occupation Violates International Law

The Chair of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, Navi Pillay, has emphasized that upholding and enhancing the international rules-based order depends on compliance with the historic advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). 

The opinion states that Israel's occupation of Palestinian land has "now become illegal under international law."

According to the UN News Centre, the Commission Chair stated, "The ICJ's advisory opinion is clear and unequivocal, encompassing international legal obligations not only for Israel but for the United Nations and all states."

Pillay added that the ICJ, the UN's highest court, decisively outlined in its advisory opinion the legal framework concerning occupation and the duties and obligations of occupying forces. 

It affirmed the prohibition of acquiring territory by force and the inalienable right of peoples to self-determination, applying these principles to Israel's occupation of Palestinian land since 1967.

The Commission stressed that Israel's policies and practices, including the establishment of settlements, annexation of land leading to the forced displacement of Palestinians, seizure of Palestinian lands and properties, exploitation of natural resources, and discriminatory legal regimes in the occupied territories, collectively constitute violations of international law, including humanitarian and human rights law.

The court noted that "the United Nations, particularly the General Assembly – which requested this advisory opinion – and the Security Council, must consider additional measures necessary to end Israel's unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territory as swiftly as possible."

It is worth noting that the Human Rights Council granted the Commission its mandate on May 27, 2021, to investigate all alleged violations of international humanitarian law and all alleged violations and abuses of international law within the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and within Israel.