International reaction has begun to pour in after the UN's top court ruled that Israel's continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory is unlawful and must end immediately.
Palestinian officials have described the International Court of Justice's ruling as “a watershed moment” in their decades-long fight for justice. Israel immediately condemned Friday's decision, while its top ally the United States criticised the verdict on Saturday after initial silence.
The advisory decision by 15 judges, though not binding, found that Israel had no right to sovereignty over the occupied territory, had violated international laws against the acquisition of territory by force and was obstructing the Palestinians' right to self-determination.
It further stipulated that countries were obliged not to provide aid or assistance in maintaining Israel's presence in the region.
How the world has reacted to this:
Australia
The government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it respected the ICJ's role in upholding international law and the rules-based order.
“We want to see concrete steps taken by Israel to stop the expansion of settlements in order to respond to extremist activities,” the government said in a statement, adding that it was still “carefully considering the details” of the decision.
Belgium
Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib said in a social media post: “Belgium will always stand for the respect of international law.”
The International Court of Justice has ruled that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory is inconsistent with international law and settlement activities must cease.
Belgium will always stand for respect for international law.
– Hadja Lahbib (@hadjalahbib) July 19, 2024
brazil
The Foreign Ministry said the decision “reinforces the need for a two-state solution, in which an independent and viable Palestinian State can live in peace and security alongside Israel within its 1967 borders, including the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
Bolivia
The Foreign Ministry called on the United Nations and its member states to “take appropriate steps to stop the crimes taking place in the Gaza Strip and guarantee Palestine’s right to self-determination”.
Bolivia broke off relations with Israel in the early days of the war and later became the first Latin American country to support a separate genocide case brought by South Africa against Israel at the ICJ.
Egypt
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Israel to immediately end the occupation, halt any new settlement establishment activity and vacate all existing settlements.
The ministry also urged international parties to “respect and implement the ICJ's advisory opinion, assist the Palestinian people in exercising their right to self-determination, and work to end the human suffering they are enduring.”
Iceland
The Ministry of External Affairs said the ICJ decision was “clear”.
It said, “Israel's continued occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem is unlawful, as are its settlement activities. Iceland calls on Israel to cease all activities that violate international law.”
The ICJ's advisory opinion is clear. Israel's continued occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem is unlawful, as are its settlement activities. Iceland calls on Israel to cease all activities that violate international law.
— MFA Iceland 🇮🇸 (@MFAIceland) July 20, 2024
United States of america
President Joe Biden's administration, which often emphasizes a “rules-based order,” criticized the decision, though it acknowledged that Israeli settlements are “inconsistent” with international law.
“We are concerned that the broadness of the Court's opinion will complicate efforts to resolve the conflict and bring about an urgently needed just and lasting peace and security between the two states,” the US State Department told Reuters news agency.
Indonesia
The Southeast Asian country said the ruling “addresses the aspiration of Indonesia and the rest of the international community to bring justice to Palestinians.”
“Indonesia appeals to the UN General Assembly and Security Council to fulfill the court's request by considering appropriate means and necessary steps to end Israel's illegal presence in Palestine,” the Foreign Ministry said.
Ireland
Foreign Secretary Micheál Martin said he would work closely with EU and UN partners to see how we can implement this authoritative opinion of the Court to end Israel's illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Queue
The Ministry of External Affairs said the ICJ verdict “reflects the highest standards of international law that must be respected”.
It reiterated Qatar's “firm stance on the justice of the Palestinian issue and the moral imperative to support the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people”.
The State of Qatar welcomes the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on Israel's policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territory and East Jerusalem
🔗Read more: https://t.co/FrA6b3Axry#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/xS4BnwNHtC
– Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) July 20, 2024
Jordan
Foreign Minister Ayman Sadadi said: “Israel's impunity must end. Its war crimes must be stopped. Israel must be held accountable.”
Israel's response to the ICJ ruling and its Knesset resolution to prevent the Palestinian people from fulfilling their right to freedom proves Israel's total disrespect for international law. Israel's impunity must end. Its war crimes must be stopped. Israel must be held accountable.
— Ayman Safadi (@AymanHsafadi) July 19, 2024
Kuwait
The Gulf country's foreign ministry called on the international community to “fulfill its legal, political and moral duties to achieve the aspirations of the fraternal Palestinian people to establish an independent state and stop the aggression against Gaza.”
Liechtenstein
The Mission of the European Principalities to the United Nations stated that the ICJ “places the rule of law at the heart of the settlement of international disputes”.
“We look forward to working closely with all of the states.” [ruling]in particular to ensure the full application of the right to self-determination,” it said on x.
LI welcomes the day @CIJ_ICJ Advisory Opinion, which places the rule of law at the heart of the settlement of international disputes. We look forward to working with all States on the basis of the AO, in particular to ensure the full application of the right to self-determination.
– Liechtenstein UN (@LiechtensteinUN) July 19, 2024
Malaysia
The Southeast Asian country praised this “historic decision”.
“Malaysia urges all countries to force Israel to abide by the ICJ ruling and immediately cease their support for Israel's continued illegal occupation of Palestine,” it said.
Press Release: Malaysia applauds International Court of Justice decision on Palestine issue pic.twitter.com/ViN2LEpmhY
– Wisma Putra (@MalaysiaMFA) July 20, 2024
Norway
Foreign Minister Espen Barth Ede described the ICJ's ruling as “absolutely clear”.
“Israeli policies and practices should be regarded as annexation of the vast majority of the occupied Palestinian territory, and as such are in violation of international law,” he wrote on X.
The ICJ has clearly stated that Israel's policies and practices should be regarded as annexation of the vast majority of the occupied Palestinian territory and are in violation of international law.
This is a clear message to Israel, which we expect them to comply with immediately.
— Espen Barth Eide (@EspenBarthEide) July 19, 2024
Spain
Madrid said the decision “contains important declarations on the illegitimacy of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and on other aspects, including the settlements”.
“The government urges the United Nations and the international community to consider the findings of the report and take appropriate measures in this regard,” it said.
Slovenia
The Foreign Ministry called on Israel to “comply with its duties and obligations under international law” set out in the ICJ opinion.
Advisory opinion issued by Slovenia welcomed @CIJ_ICJ On the legal consequences arising from Israel's policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.
Slovenia calls on Israel to fulfill its duties and obligations… pic.twitter.com/1JmMx3s66c
— MFEA Slovenia (@MZEZ_RS) July 19, 2024
South Africa
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola said the decision “reaffirms South Africa's long-standing position that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory is unlawful under international law”.
“There is now an additional legal obligation for all states to end complicity in Israel's illegal actions and to work to ensure that international law is respected,” he said in a statement.
United Kingdom
The newly formed Labor government said it “respects the independence of the ICJ” and was considering the ruling before giving an official response.
The Foreign Office said the UK “strongly opposes the expansion of illegal settlements and the escalating violence”.
United Arab Emirates
The UAE, which established formal diplomatic ties with Israel in 2020, “welcomed” the decision.
The Foreign Ministry said it “rejects all measures aimed at changing the historical and legal status of the occupied Palestinian territory and all practices in violation of resolutions on international legitimacy, which threaten to further erode and destabilise the region and hinder efforts to achieve peace and stability”.
Saudi Arab
The State welcomed the decision and stressed “the need to take practical and credible steps to reach a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue.”
#statement | Saudi Arabia welcomes the Advisory Opinion issued by the ICJ regarding Israel's policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territories, which reaffirms the illegitimacy of Israel's presence in the occupied Palestinian territories for the last 57 years. pic.twitter.com/3jtVZ4ZAEG
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) July 19, 2024
turkey
The Foreign Ministry said the international community was “obliged to take a firm and resolute stance to put an end to Israel's illegal activities”.
Regarding the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice pic.twitter.com/QU8Yv0jhUd
— Turkish MFA (@MFATurkiye) July 19, 2024
