The United Nations Highest Court concluded historic proceedings on Monday into the legality of Israel's 57-year occupation of lands sought by Palestinians for a future state, with most countries arguing against the Israeli government.
Over the course of six days, the ICJ heard from an unprecedented number of countries, and the majority believed Israel was violating international law and called for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
"The real obstacle to peace is obvious - the deepening occupation by Israel of the Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, and failure to implement the two-state vision, Israel and Palestine living side by side," Turkey's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Yildiz said.
Outlier, Fiji was one of the few countries to argue that the court should reject the request and noted the Hamas attacks that "set off the war in Gaza," leaving about 1,200 people dead and nearly 250 held hostage. Meanwhile, the Palestinian death toll has now reached 29,782-- many of whom are children.
"The events of 7 October 2023 have shown us what could happen if there were a complete and unconditional withdrawal without the necessary arrangements in place to guarantee the security of Israel," Filipo Tarakinikini said on behalf of the South Pacific Island nation.
Israel's loyal and complicit ally, the United States, also warned the court against issuing an opinion calling for an immediate withdrawal from the territories.
According to The Associated Press, acting State Department legal adviser Richard Visek said last week that the judges should not seek to resolve the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict "through an advisory opinion addressed to questions focusing on the acts of only one party."
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki had previously urged the 15-judge panel to uphold the Palestinian right to self-determination and to declare "that the Israeli occupation is illegal and must end immediately, totally and unconditionally."
Despite the hearings held against the backdrop of Israel's war on Gaza, they predated this round of conflict and focused instead on Israel's open-ended occupation of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem.
Last month, the court ordered Israel to halt its assault to prevent the deaths of innocent civilians as well as any acts of genocide in its military offensive. South Africa also filed a separate case accusing Israel of genocide due to the collective punishment Israel has reigned on the territory.
How does Israel feel?
Israel continues to deny these claims and rejects accusations that its treatment of Palestinians amounts to apartheid, going as far as accusing UN bodies and international councils of bias.
The AP reported that Israel did not participate in the oral proceedings. However, in a five-page written submission, Israel said the questions put to the court are prejudiced and "fail to recognize Israel's right and duty to protect its citizens" from unarmed children in Gaza.
In the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. The three areas are a blueprint for an independent Palestinian state.
In 2004, the court ruled that a separation wall Israel built through East Jerusalem and parts of the West Bank was "contrary to international law."
The court has again and again called on Israel to halt its illegal construction in Palestine. To date, Israel has consistently ignored the ruling.
The court stated it would issue its opinion in "due course."
