The world’s states must reconsider all diplomatic, political and economic relations with Israel in accordance with the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the illegality of the establishment of settlements in the Palestinian territories, according to a statement by UN special rapporteurs released by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
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On July 19, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion on the legal consequences of Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories. The court found that Israel’s settlement activities violate international law and constitute annexation. The authority called on Israel to end as soon as possible new settlement activities in the Palestinian territories and its illegal presence there, as well as to pay reparations for damage caused as a result of the illegal occupation.
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“While the Security Council and the UN General Assembly will consider strategies to ensure a speedy end to the illegal occupation, states should immediately review all diplomatic, political and economic ties with Israel, including business and financial ties, pension funds, scientific exchanges and charitable organizations,” – the document says.
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The U.N. experts called for an arms embargo, a halt to any other trade that could harm Palestinians, and targeted sanctions, including asset freezes, against Israeli individuals and entities “involved in the illegal occupation and policies of racial segregation and apartheid.”
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“Since the July 19 ruling, Israel has intensified its attacks on Gaza’s civilian population and its natural resources. Israel must implement this advisory opinion and other ICJ rulings issued this year. Israel must stop acting as if it is above the law alone “, the statement emphasizes.
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Earlier this year, the EU, US and Japan began imposing sanctions against Israelis living in the occupied West Bank as punishment for persecuting the local Palestinian population. The Joe Biden administration has revised the policies of previous President Donald Trump, who refused to consider Israeli settlement activity a violation of international law and stopped criticizing it.
