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Countries across the world have reacted to the ICJ ruling against Israel, calling on the international community to pressure Israel in the wake of the “watershed” opinion by the top UN court.
Aljazeera reports that international reaction has poured in since a ruling by the International Court of Justice that Israel’s continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory is unlawful and should swiftly be ended.
The ruling has been praised by Palestinian officials who described it as a “watershed moment” in their decades-long fight for justice. Israel, on the other hand, immediately condemned Friday’s decision. Israel’s top supporter also criticized the judgement on Saturday.
Although nonbinding, the ruling by the 15 judges found that Israel doesn’t have any right to sovereignty over the occupied territory, has violated international laws against acquiring territory by force and is blocking Palestinians’ right to self-determination.
It went on to determine that countries are not obliged to “render aid or assistance in maintaining” Israel’s presence in the territory.
In Australia, the government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it respects ICJ’s decision.
In Belgium, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Hadja Lahbib said, “Belgium will always stand up for respect of international law.”
The Bolivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the UN and its member states to “stop the crimes being committed in the Gaza Strip and guarantee Palestine’s right to self-determination.”
The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the ruling “reinforces the need for a “two-state solution, with an independent and viable state of Palestine living side by side with Israel…”
Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on Israel to end the occupation immediately, halt any new settlement activities and evacuate all existing settlements.
In Iceland, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “Continued occupation of the West Bank is unlawful, and so are its settlement activities.”
In the United States, the administration, which often stresses the “rules-based order”, criticized the ruling despite acknowledging that Israeli settlements are “inconsistent” with international law.
Indonesia said the ruling “addressed the aspiration of Indonesia and the rest of the international community in delivering justice for the Palestinians.”
The Labour government in the UK said although it respects the independence of the ICJ, it is considering the ruling before making an official response.
Other countries that reacted to the ruling include Turkey, Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa, Slovenia, Spain, Norway, Malaysia, Liechtenstein, Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar and Ireland.
