On July 19, 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a pivotal Advisory Opinion addressing the legal ramifications of Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, comprehensively concluding that Israel’s ongoing settlement activities and related actions constitute a breach of international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

The Court’s groundbreaking Advisory Opinion concluded that Israel’s presence in the occupied Palestinian territories (including the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza) is unlawful, and the State of Israel is obligated to bring to an end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as rapidly as possible, to immediately cease all new settlement activities, and to evacuate all settlers from the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The Advisory Opinion, which is a crucial step in establishing accountability for Israel’s continued violations of international law, also states that Israel is obligated to provide reparations for the damage caused to all the natural or legal persons concerned in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and urges all States and international organisations, including the UN, not to recognise as legal the situation arising from the unlawful presence of the State of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Although the Advisory Opinion is not legally binding, The Nuhanovic Foundation welcomes this landmark opinion by the ICJ, and urges States and international organisations to take concrete steps to bring an end to Israel illegal occupation of Palestinian Territories.

To read the full Advisory Opinion, click here.