The ICJ has stated what Palestinians always knew – and now?

JVL Introduction

The International Court of Justice has made its pronouncements on the illegality of Israel’s occupation of Palestine.  None of this is new information; not for Palestinians who have been living under occupation for decades, nor for long standing activists for justice throughout the world.

The Court calls for Israel to evacuate the settlers and to pay compensation to Palestinians.  Meanwhile Israel again and again refuses to consider the possibility of a Palestinian State but the Court notes that governments throughout the world have an “obligation not to recognise as legal the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories…” and to “abstain from treaty relations, diplomatic relations, economic or trade dealings, or investment relations with Israel in all cases in which it purports to act on behalf of the OPT”.

As Shehada notes:   “We Palestinians will be closely watching how the world reacts. Will international law finally prevail, and serve as an instrument for bringing lasting peace in the region?”

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This article was originally published by The Guardian on Tue 23 Jul 2024. Read the original here.