The opinion covers the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip as stated in the scope of the opinion:
Territorial scope — Palestinian territory occupied since 1967 encompassing the West Bank,
East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip — The “Occupied Palestinian Territory” constituting, from legal
standpoint, a single territorial unit.
The ICJ press release is at
this link and
the full opinion is attached.
I urge you to bring this court ruling to her attention as she makes her decision about Netanyahu's address. The ICJ lays out the obligation of UN member states (and therefore its legislators) thus:
...all States are under an obligation not to recognize as legal the situation arising from the unlawful
presence of the State of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and not to render aid or
assistance in maintaining the situation created by the continued presence of the State of Israel in
the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
To attend Netanyahu's address would in effect affirm Israel's occupation which has now been declared illegal. I hope Marcy will decline to attend.
In addition:
Please bring to Marcy's attention that the ICJ has used the word "apartheid" to describe the conditions Israel is imposing upon the Occupied Palestinian Territory and concludes that Israel has breached the provision in international law that prohibits apartheid. This is truly historic.
See Paragraphs 223 - 229 of today's opinion.
In Paragraph 225, the ICJ specifically mentions apartheid, citing Article 3 of CERD.
225. Article 3 of
CERD provides as follows: “
States Parties particularly condemn racial
segregation and apartheid and undertake to prevent, prohibit and eradicate all practices of this nature
in territories under their jurisdiction.” This provision refers to two particularly severe forms of racial
discrimination: racial segregation and apartheid.
After giving numerous examples, the ICJ then concludes in Paragraph 229 that
"the Court considers that Israel’s legislation and measures constitute a
breach of Article 3 of CERD."
This provides a powerful reason for a member of Congress to intentionally absent herself from Netanyahu's address.
Thank you,
Josie Setzler
Fremont, OH 43420