https://x.com/huwaidaarraf/status/1814343640358989982

Huwaida Arraf

@huwaidaarraf

Palestinian-American human/civil rights attorney

Some of the biggest takeaways from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) opinion on the consequences of Israel’s prolonged occupation and policies in the occupied Palestinian territory:

1. The West Bank, incl East Jerusalem, and Gaza constitute one territorial unit — the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). Israel’s continued presence in the OPT is UNLAWFUL and MUST be brought to an end.

2. Israel is practicing racial segregation and APARTHEID.

3. Israel must dismantle its wall and all settlements, return the land and other immovable property + assets taken from Palestinians as well as cultural property take from institutions since 1967; if restitution is materially impossible, Israel must pay compensation.

4. Palestinians dispossessed as a result of Israeli occupation have right to return to their original homes and receive reparations.

5. Palestinians’ right to self-determination cannot be subjected to conditions from the occupier - i.e. CANNOT BE LEFT TO NEGOTIATIONS.

6. Oslo Accords cannot be used to detract from Israel’s obligations under international law.

7. ALL States are under an obligation not to recognize any of Israel’s settlements and not to render any aid or assistance to the continued presence of Israel in any part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. This includes doing any kind of business with settlements.

7. The US judge, Sarah Cleveland sided with the majority on all aspects of the opinion. The Ugandan judge, Julia Sebutinde shamelessly opposed all but one part of the opinion (that the Court had authority to render this opinion)

 8. The UN, especially the General Assembly & Security Council should consider what actions need to be taken to bring to Israel’s unlawful presence in the OPT to an end.

9. Point 8 above underscores the UNGA’s ability and obligation to sanction Israel, including by unseating it from the UN, until it ceases to violate Palestinian rights and abides by international law.

10. Efforts to detract from the significance of this Opinion by saying it’s only advisory and nonbinding should be dismissed. This opinion lays out the law vis a vis Israel’s actions and the obligations of Israel and all states to abide by international law.

11. While Israel will not abide anytime soon, the paragraphs on restitution and reparations must be used for years and decades to come to ensure that Palestinians are compensated for decades of egregious land, resource and property theft. Nothing can truly compensate, especially for all the lives lost, but Israel must be made to pay.

Last edited12:56 PM · Jul 19, 2024