Israel’s settlement policy in occupied Palestinian territories is in breach of international law, the International Court of Justice has ruled.
The “transfer by Israel of settlers to the West Bank and Jerusalem as well as Israel’s maintenance of their presence” is “contrary to article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention”, a panel of 15 judges from around the world said.
It also said Israel’s use of natural resources was “inconsistent” with its obligations under international law as an occupying power.
The court added that Israel’s practices and policies violate Palestinians’ right to self-determination.
Israel must make reparations for damages caused by its occupation, the court said.
Israel did not send a legal team to the hearings. In written comments, however, it said questions put to the court failed to address its security concerns.
The court’s president, Nawaf Salam, has been reading the court’s full opinion in an update expected to last about an hour.
The opinion is advisory and non-binding.
A Palestinian woman walks beside a wall separating east Jerusalem from the West Bank. Pic: Reuters
It is an issue that has attracted extra attention since Hamas’s attacks in Israel on 7 October, and Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza.
Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the Six-Day War in 1967.
All three areas are sought by the Palestinians for an independent state.
Israel, however, considers the West Bank to be disputed territory, and wants its future to be negotiated.
It withdrew from Gaza in 2005 but has maintained controls over the territory after Hamas took power in 2007.
Israel’s annexation of east Jerusalem is not internationally recognised.
Many in the international community consider all three areas to be occupied territory.
