ICJ: Israeli Occupation Unlawful, Calls for Reparations

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued a non-binding ruling declaring Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as unlawful and demanding an immediate end to Israeli settlements and control in these areas. The decision has been met with mixed reactions: Palestinian officials and President Mahmoud Abbas hailed it as a triumph for justice, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials dismissed the ruling as false and biased. The ruling emphasizes that Israel's settlement activities violate international law, specifically the Geneva Convention, and calls for reparations for damage caused by Israel's actions. The ICJ's opinion, though advisory and lacking enforcement power, could intensify international political pressure on Israel amid ongoing conflicts. Arsen Ostrovsky, a prominent pro-Israel advocate, criticized the ruling as part of a broader campaign against Israel.