Top UN court deems Israel’s presence in occupied Palestinian territories illegal
This photograph shows a general view of the courtroom during a non-binding ruling on the legal consequences of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague on July 19, 2024. -AFP
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has lauded a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that Israel's continued occupation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) is unlawful and should cease immediately.
Wisma Putra said following the landmark ruling, all nations should compel Israel to abide by the decision and immediately end their support to Israel in continuing its illegal occupation of Palestine.
"Malaysia hails the landmark ruling of the ICJ in favour of Palestine rendered through its Advisory Opinion on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the OPT, including East Jerusalem on July 19.
"The court, by an overwhelming majority, ruled that Israel's continued occupation in the OPT is unlawful and should end immediately.
"All new settlement activities should be ceased and all damages be compensated," it said in a statement on Saturday (July 20).
Wisma Putra said the ICJ ruling upholds Palestinian legitimate right to self-determination and that Israel's actions and policies contravene international law.
The Court, it said, also emphasised the collective legal obligations of all states and international organisations to end the illegal occupation by Israel.
The findings of the ICJ also affirm Malaysia's legal arguments presented by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan during the oral submission to the court on Feb 22.
"Malaysia will continue to support and strongly advocate for the establishment of an independent and sovereign state of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, as well as the admission of Palestine as a full member of the United Nations," it added.
