The Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center (JLAC) welcomes the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion issued on July 19, 2024. The court's ruling is not just a legal milestone; it is a clarion call for justice, reaffirming the illegality of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory, and is a significant step towards recognizing and addressing the longstanding injustices faced by the Palestinian people.

This momentous advisory opinion touches the very heart of our work at JLAC.  It highlights the ongoing plight of Palestinians subjected to forcible transfer, the imposition of Israeli law on East Jerusalem, the illegal expansion of settlements paired with settler violence, the demolition of homes, and the full control over natural resources. The ICJ's findings lay bare the systemic injustices that have plagued Palestinian lives for decades, emphasizing the urgent need for remedial action. The court deemed these practices to be in breach of international law, thus categorizing them as illegal.

The court’s ruling is critical, arriving at a time when the Palestinian people are enduring unimaginable suffering in the Gaza Strip. It serves as a powerful testament to the need for accountability and justice amidst the ongoing atrocities. The timing of this ruling cannot be overstated; it highlights the international community's role in addressing these grave violations and supporting the quest for justice.

Despite its advisory nature, the ICJ's opinion holds profound legal significance. The opinion reflects fundamental rules of international law, including the right to self-determination, the illegality of settlements, the prohibition of land annexation by force, and various international humanitarian and human rights laws. These principles, rooted in customary international law and jus cogens norms, are declaratory and binding in nature. Because the ICJ's opinion interprets these already binding principles, all states are legally obligated to respect and enforce it. This includes taking concrete actions to pressure Israel to comply with international law and address the issues identified in the ruling. The advisory opinion thus reinforces existing legal obligations and demands a meaningful effort from the international community to ensure adherence to these principles.

Additionally, the advisory opinion binds the requesting organization, in this case, the United Nations General Assembly. This creates obligations for all UN entities, including the Secretariat, the General Assembly itself, its member states, specialized agencies, and even the Security Council, to act in accordance with the opinion.

The ICJ's advisory opinion is a landmark declaration that reinforces the illegality of Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territory and the urgent need for action. It is a call to the international community to uphold justice, human rights, and international law. JLAC remains committed to advocating for the rights of Palestinians and will continue to work towards ending these injustices. In light of this crucial ruling, JLAC also calls on other international bodies to play their respective roles in ensuring justice and the enforcement of international law. JLAC emphasizes that the time for decisive action is now; we must transform legal declarations into tangible justice for the Palestinian people.