The remarks got here on the third day of historic hearings on Israel’s management over the West Financial institution, Gaza and annexed East Jerusalem. In earlier shows, representatives from South Africa and different nations slammed Israel for working an “apartheid state” and referred to as for an finish to the occupation of Palestinian territories.
The ICJ case stems from the U.N. Normal Meeting’s 2022 request for an advisory opinion and predates the Oct. 7 Hamas assaults on Israel and the devastating Israel-Gaza conflict. It’s legally distinct from the genocide case introduced by South Africa in opposition to Israel late final yr. However the devastation on the bottom in Gaza — and the world’s lack of ability to cease it — have loomed over the proceedings and lent a way of urgency to the case.
Israel isn’t taking part within the hearings. In a assertion, Netanyahu’s workplace mentioned the proceedings have been “designed to hurt Israel’s proper to defend itself in opposition to existential threats.”
The US is more and more remoted in relation to Israel — and that has been evident in The Hague. The US stays Israel’s closest ally, however faces rising strain to alter Israel’s conduct, notably in Gaza, the place 29,000 folks have been killed.
Earlier this month, Biden referred to as the Israeli army operation that started after Hamas’s assaults “excessive” and mentioned the civilian struggling should cease.
Biden additionally signed an govt order that imposed sanctions on 4 West Financial institution settlers who the administration says have dedicated violence in opposition to Palestinians, essentially the most important step taken in opposition to Israelis for the reason that battle started — although many have referred to as on the administration to do extra.
The killing of two American teenagers within the West Financial institution has additionally led to requires a stronger U.S. response.
However the Biden administration continues to again Israel in worldwide settings. On Tuesday, the US for the third time for the reason that begin of the battle vetoed a Safety Council decision calling for a direct cease-fire within the Gaza Strip.
The US argued that a direct cease-fire might jeopardize negotiations for a six-week pause that might see Hamas launch Israeli hostages in trade for the return of jailed Palestinians, in addition to extra humanitarian support. As a substitute, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, referred to as on members to help another decision.
The US was the one vote in opposition to the decision for a cease-fire; Britain abstained and the opposite 15 members of the council voted in favor of the decision for a direct cease-fire.
In The Hague on Wednesday, Visek, the U.S. consultant, sought to acknowledge the U.N. court docket’s function whereas warning in opposition to the dangers of “one-sidedness.”
He mentioned the court docket mustn’t discover that Israel is legally obligated to instantly and unconditionally withdraw from occupied territory and harassed the necessity for an advisory opinion that protects Israel’s safety wants.
“We have been all reminded of these safety wants on October 7, and so they persist,” he mentioned. “Regrettably, these wants have been ignored by most of the individuals in asserting how the court docket ought to take into account the questions earlier than it.”
In its remarks Wednesday afternoon, France referred to as for restitution or compensation for Palestinians for practices that violate worldwide legislation and once more condemned Israel’s settlement coverage. But it surely urged the court docket to “go no additional than crucial” in its ruling.
The proceedings opened Monday with remarks from Palestinian officers. International Affairs Minister Riyadh al-Maliki instructed the court docket that “2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza, half of them kids, are besieged and bombed, killed and maimed, starved and displaced.”
“Greater than 3.5 million Palestinians within the West Financial institution, together with in Jerusalem, are subjected to colonization of their territory and racist violence that allows it,” he added.
Subsequent remarks from 10 extra nations on Tuesday — South Africa, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil and Chile — drew on related themes.
South Africa — which lately introduced a separate genocide case in opposition to Israel on the ICJ — accused Israel of perpetuating a “extra excessive kind” of apartheid than as soon as existed in its nation.
South Africa’s ambassador to the Netherlands, Vusimuzi Madonsela, mentioned that Israel’s occupation “discriminates in opposition to and fragments all Palestinian folks to make sure the upkeep of Israeli Jewish domination.”
Canada was anticipated to argue earlier than the court docket Tuesday, however dropped out, saying its written assertion would suffice. Canada had requested the court docket to not challenge an advisory opinion for concern it could disrupt peace efforts.
The hearings will proceed via Monday with greater than two dozen nations but to talk. The court docket’s advisory opinion isn’t anticipated for months — and will or could not have an effect.
Final month, the court docket ordered Israel to take efforts to attenuate civilian hurt throughout its ongoing army operation in Gaza. Nonetheless, few see proof that these “provisional measures” have modified the conduct of the conflict.
