Starting today, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague will hold hearings on the legal consequences of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories since 1967, with the participation of an unprecedented number of 52 countries, including nations including the United States, Russia and China, which they will address the judges in a session that will last a week at the Peace Palace, seat of the UN tribunal.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Malki has told the court that his people are suffering "colonialism and apartheid" under Israeli occupation, as judges weigh the legal consequences.
"Palestinians have endured colonialism and apartheid...
There are those who are enraged by these words. They should be enraged by the reality that we are suffering," Al-Malki said.
In December 2022, the UN General Assembly asked the International Court of Justice for a non-binding "advisory opinion" on the "legal consequences arising from Israel's policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem".
While any court opinion is non-binding, it comes amid growing international legal pressure on Israel over the war on Gaza.
The hearings are separate from the case brought by South Africa, which alleges that Israel is committing acts of genocide during the current offensive in the Strip.
In this case, the IGC ruled in January that Israel must do everything in its power to prevent genocide and allow humanitarian aid to reach Gaza.
On Friday the court instead rejected South Africa's proposal to impose further measures on Israel.
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