RAMALLA, WEST BANK (Reuters) – A United Nations General Assembly vote on Saturday to seek an opinion from the International Court of Justice on the legal implications of an Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory, Israel condemned and the Palestinians said. welcomed.
Friday’s vote presents a challenge to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He set the expansion of the settlements as a priority this week and took office as head of government, including parties that want to annex the West Bank lands on which they were built.
“The Jews are not occupying their land, nor are they occupying the eternal capital of Jerusalem. No UN resolution can distort that historical truth,” Netanyahu said in a video message. He added that Israel was not bound by “despicable decisions”.
In addition to Gaza and East Jerusalem, Palestinians are seeking a state in the occupied West Bank. Most countries consider Israeli settlements illegal, which Israel disputes because of its historical and biblical ties to the land.
The Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ), also known as the World Court, is the highest court of the United Nations for disputes between states. Its rulings are binding, but the ICJ is non-enforceable.
The UN General Assembly called on the ICJ to issue an advisory opinion on the legal consequences of Israel’s “occupation, settlement and annexation…including measures aimed at changing the demographic, character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem”. .
Members of Netanyahu’s new government have pledged to strengthen the settlement with development plans, budgets, and approval of dozens of outposts built without permits.
The Cabinet includes newly created posts and restructured roles that grant some of these powers to settler coalition partners seeking to eventually extend Israeli sovereignty to the West Bank. is included.
However, Netanyahu has not suggested any immediate steps to annex the settlements, likely to destabilize ties with Western and Arab allies.
Palestinians welcomed the United Nations vote in which 87 Member States voted in favor of adopting the request. Israel, the United States and 24 other members voted against. 53 abstained.
“The time has come for Israel to become a state under the law and be held accountable for its ongoing crimes against our people,” said Nabil Abu Rudine, spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Said. West Bank.
Hamas leader Barsem Naim, the Islamist militant group that controls Gaza, said it was an “important step towards containing and isolating the occupying state[Israel].”
By Maayan Lubell.Edited by Kim Coghill and Frances Kelly
Our standards: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
