South Asian News Network

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has completed a public hearing on the legal ramifications of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian lands. The advisory opinion is due next year or by the end of this year. Palestine, 49 UN countries, and three international organizations all made oral declarations.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office contested the hearing’s validity, claiming it undermined Israel’s existence and right to self-defense. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki underlined the necessity for Israel to cease its “illegal” occupation under international law, while Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour said that calling Israel’s occupation unlawful would lead to a “just and lasting peace.