ICJ says Israel's policies, practices 'amount to annexation of large parts' of occupied Palestinian territory | Anadolu Agency |

Israel's settlement policy in occupied Palestinian territory is in breach of 4th Geneva Convention, says top UN court

The opinion was read out by Nawaf Salam, president of the world court, which unanimously found that it had jurisdiction to give the advisory opinion requested.

The court listed some of the policies and practices that "amount to annexation" such as the expansion of settlements, the exploitation of natural resources, the proclamation of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, the comprehensive application of Israeli domestic law in East Jerusalem and its extensive application in the West Bank, entrenching Israel's control of the occupied Palestinian territory.

These policies and practices are designed to "maintain in place indefinitely ... and to create irreversible effects on the ground," the court said, adding that it is "not convinced" that extending Israeli law to the West Bank and East Jerusalem is justified.

The 15-judge panel of the court considered that "Israel is not entitled to sovereignty over or to exercise sovereign powers in any part of the occupied Palestinian territory on account of its occupation."

"Nor can Israel's security concerns override the principle of the prohibition of the acquisition of territory by force," it added.

Israel's settlement policy is in breach of int'l law

On Israel's settlement policy, which included forcible evictions of protected populations, and the transfer of settlers, the court stressed the actions violate the 4th Geneva Convention.

The court noted "with grave concern reports that Israel's settlement policy has been expanding" since its 2004 advisory opinion. 

Israel's continued presence in occupied Palestinian territory 'unlawful'
The ICJ, by 11 votes to four, said Israel's continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory is "unlawful," which should end "as rapidly as possible."

In a vote of 14 against one, the court urged Israel to "cease immediately all new settlement activities and to evacuate all settlers" from the occupied Palestinian territory, and that it has the obligation to make reparation for the damage caused to all the natural or legal persons concerned in the occupied Palestinian territory.

"All States are under an obligation not to recognize as legal the situation arising from the unlawful presence of the State of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by the continued presence of the State of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory," it suggested by 12 votes in favor and three against.