Representatives of South Africa opened the second day of
hearings at the ICJ, also known as the World Court, in the
Hague. The hearing follows a request by the U.N. General
Assembly for an advisory, or non-binding, opinion on the
occupation in 2022. More than 50 states will present arguments
until Feb. 26.
On Monday, Palestinian representatives asked the U.N.'s highest
court to declare Israel's occupation of their territory illegal,
also saying the court's advisory opinion could contribute to a
two-state solution and a lasting peace.
Israel is not attending the hearings but sent a written
statement, saying an advisory opinion would be harmful to
achieving a negotiated settlement with the Palestinians.
"A clear legal characterization of the nature of Israel's regime
over the Palestinian people can only assist in remedying the
ongoing delay and achieving a just settlement," Vusimuzi
Madonsela, South Africa's ambassador to the Netherlands told the
judges.
The latest surge of violence in Gaza, promoted by the Oct.7
attacks in Israel by Hamas, has complicated already
deeply-rooted grievances in the Middle East and damaged efforts
towards finding a path to peace.
The ICJ's 15-judge panel has been asked to review Israel's
"occupation, settlement and annexation ... including measures
aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and
status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, and from its adoption of
related discriminatory legislation and measures."
The judges are expected to take roughly six months to issue an
opinion on the request, which also asks them to consider the
legal status of the occupation and its consequences.
(Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg, Editing by William
Maclean)
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