The United States has voiced its opposition to the United Nations' top court issuing an advisory opinion that calls for Israel to withdraw immediately and unconditionally from territories sought for a Palestinian state. The US emphasized that the International Court of Justice should not solely focus on one party's actions in attempting to resolve the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The ongoing hearings at the court were initiated by a request from the General Assembly for a non-binding advisory opinion on the legality of Israel's policies in the occupied territories. The US argued that the court should address the questions within the established framework based on the land for peace principle and existing principles of occupation law.
The US highlighted that the court's opinion will have significant implications for the parties involved in the conflict and for the broader efforts aimed at achieving a lasting peace in the region.
Earlier in the week, Palestinian officials urged the court to uphold the Palestinian right to self-determination and declare the Israeli occupation as illegal and in need of immediate cessation. The concept of land for peace has been a fundamental aspect of US-led diplomacy and has been pivotal in previous peace agreements, such as the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt.
The peace process between Israel and the Palestinians has faced numerous challenges, including Palestinian attacks, Israeli settlement expansion in occupied territories, and disagreements on critical issues like final borders, the status of Jerusalem, and the fate of Palestinian refugees.
The US stance at the world court follows its recent veto of a UN resolution calling for a humanitarian cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. The US justified its veto by stating that it could impact negotiations for the release of hostages held by Hamas.
The court proceedings have seen condemnations of Israel's policies by several nations, with a total of 51 countries and three international organizations scheduled to present their views. The court is expected to take several months to issue its non-binding advisory opinion.
Israel's occupation of territories sought for a Palestinian state has been a point of contention, with the Palestinians arguing that it violates international law and their right to self-determination. Israel, on the other hand, maintains that it has the right to protect its citizens and that the questions posed to the court are biased.
Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 war and has since built settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal by the international community. The status of these territories remains a key issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with both sides seeking a resolution through negotiations.
For more updates on this ongoing situation, visit AP's coverage.
