UK 'seeking to block ICJ ruling' on Israeli occupation of Palestine
Source: The Guardian
UK seeking to block ICJ ruling on Israeli occupation of Palestine
Dismay over UK statement that opposes hearing altogether and is accused of ignoring significant facts
Bethan McKernan in Jerusalem
Thu 24 Aug 2023 09.26 BST
Last modified on Thu 24 Aug 2023 13.18 BST
The UK has been accused of seeking to block the international court of justice (ICJ) from addressing important international humanitarian law matters in a submission to the world court on the legality of Israels occupation of the Palestinian territories.
A 43-page legal opinion, seen by the Guardian, was submitted by the UK last month as part of the ICJs fact-finding stage before an expected advisory opinion from the court on the legal consequences of the occupation, settlement and annexation of Palestinian land.
The UKs amicus brief opposes the hearing of the case in the ICJ altogether a position shared by only a handful of the 57 opinions sent to the court by member states and non-governmental organisations.
The UK statement has been met with dismay by Palestinian diplomats, as well as international humanitarian law experts, who say it ignores not just the fact that Israels occupation is entrenched, but that the situation is rapidly deteriorating.
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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/24/uk-seeking-block-icj-ruling-israeli-occupation-palestine
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