The UN's top court ruled on Friday that Israel's presence in the occupied Palestinian territories is illegal and should come to an end “as rapidly as possible”.
Reading out the 83-page International Court of Justice's full opinion on the legality of Israel's 57-year occupation, court president Nawaf Salam said Israel “has an obligation to bring an end to its presence in the occupied Palestinian territory as rapidly as possible” because its policies and practices had been found to be “unlawful”.
The ICJ's decision is non-binding and, while the ruling is expected to influence international opinion, it is unlikely to prompt substantial changes in Israeli policies.
It highlighted numerous Israeli policies it deemed in breach of international law, including the construction and expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, annexation and permanent control of lands, and discriminatory practices against Palestinians.
“There is extensive evidence of Israel's policy of providing incentives for the relocation of Israeli individuals and businesses into the West Bank, as well as for its industrial and agricultural development by settlers. There is also evidence that Israel regularly legalises outposts that have been established in contravention of domestic Israeli legislation,” Mr Salam stated.
The world court said that new settlement activity “must immediately cease”.
Israel considers the occupied West Bank disputed territory, with its future to be decided through negotiations.
To solidify its hold, it has established settlements there. It also annexed East Jerusalem, a move not recognised internationally. Although it withdrew from Gaza in 2005, Israel had maintained a blockade of the enclave since Hamas took power in 2007.
The international community generally regards all three areas as occupied territory.
Mr Salam noted that Israel is obliged to provide full reparation for damages caused by its “internationally wrongful acts” to all affected parties.
“It also requires the evacuation of all settlers from existing settlements and the dismantling of the parts of the wall constructed by Israel,” he added.
Earlier this month, Israel made the largest seizure of land in the occupied West Bank in 30 years, according to an Israeli anti-settlement organisation.
Data from Peace Now indicated that the almost 13-square-kilometre appropriation in the Jordan Valley was the largest land grab since the 1993 Oslo Accords.
The world court also found that Israel was breaking international law in its use of natural resources in the occupied Palestinian territories.
“The court considers that Israel's use of the natural resources in the occupied Palestinian territory is inconsistent with its obligations under international law by diverting a large share of the natural resources to its own population, including settlers,” Mr Salam said.
The decision comes as Israel continues its war in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of more than 38,000 Palestinians.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the ICJ had made a “decision of lies” by ruling Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories illegal.
“The Jewish people are not occupiers in their own land – not in our eternal capital Jerusalem, nor in our ancestral heritage of Judea and Samaria,” he said in a statement, referring to Israel's name for the occupied West Bank.
Israel's Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, called the ruling “fundamentally warped, one-sided and wrong”.
The office of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the “historic” decision.
Palestinian UN ambassador Riyad Mansour told reporters in the Hague that the state of Palestine will now go back to the UN General Assembly to produce a resolution in line with the court's decision.
"Our people deserve much more than that. Our people want to put an end to this occupation. What happened today is a significant step in the direction of ending occupation and attaining the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to self-determination, statehood, and the right of the refugees to return," he said.
“We will consult with any army of friends at the United Nations and in all corners of the globe in order to set the stage for the following stage."
Human Rights Watch executive director, Tirana Hassan, said the court has now placed responsibility with all states and the United Nations to end these violations of international law.
"The ruling should be yet another wake-up call for the United States to end its egregious policy of defending Israel’s oppression of Palestinians and prompt a thorough reassessment in other countries as well."
Friday’s hearing came amid Israel's intense nine-month military campaign in Gaza, triggered by Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel on October 7.
Separately, the ICJ is reviewing a South African claim that Israel's actions in Gaza constitute genocide, a charge Israel firmly denies.
Thomas Helm contributed to this report from Jerusalem
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Day 1, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Dimuth Karunaratne had batted with plenty of pluck, and no little skill, in getting to within seven runs of a first-day century. Then, while he ran what he thought was a comfortable single to mid-on, his batting partner Dinesh Chandimal opted to stay at home. The opener was run out by the length of the pitch.
Stat of the day – 1 One six was hit on Day 1. The boundary was only breached 18 times in total over the course of the 90 overs. When it did arrive, the lone six was a thing of beauty, as Niroshan Dickwella effortlessly clipped Mohammed Amir over the square-leg boundary.
The verdict Three wickets down at lunch, on a featherbed wicket having won the toss, and Sri Lanka’s fragile confidence must have been waning. Then Karunaratne and Chandimal's alliance of precisely 100 gave them a foothold in the match. Dickwella’s free-spirited strokeplay meant the Sri Lankans were handily placed at 227-4 at the close.
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
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The biog
Family: Parents and four sisters
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah
A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls
Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction
Favourite holiday destination: Italy
Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning
Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes
Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
The line up
Friday: Giggs, Sho Madjozi and Masego
Saturday: Nas, Lion Bbae, Roxanne Shante and DaniLeigh
Sole DXB runs from December 6 to 8 at Dubai Design District. Weekend pass is Dh295 while a one day pass is Dh195. Tickets are available from www.soledxb.com
Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
Gifts exchanged
- King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
- Queen Camilla - Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
- Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
- Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
