Vivek spoke on the third day of historic hearings on Israel's control of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, which it annexed. In previous performances, representatives from South Africa and other countries accused Israel of running an “apartheid state” and called for an end to its occupation of Palestinian territories.
The United Nations General Assembly asked the International Court of Justice For an advisory opinion in 2022, ahead of the Hamas-led attack on Israeli communities on October 7 — when Israel says militants killed about 1,200 people and took 253 hostage — and the Israeli war on Hamas in Gaza, in which the Health Ministry says the IDF and more were killed. Of 29 thousand people. It differs from the genocide lawsuit that South Africa filed against Israel in December. But the devastation on the ground in Gaza and the world's inability so far to stop it increases the urgency.
Israel will not participate in the sessions, which Netanyahu's office said would “It aims to harm Israel's right to defend itself Against existential threats.”
Washington has become increasingly isolated in its support for Israel, a development that was evident in The Hague. A lawyer for the Palestinians said the United States is “the only country besides Fiji that is defending Israel” during the proceedings.
“This is not surprising,” said attorney Paul Richler. Whatever crimes Israel commits against international law, the United States is stepping forward to protect it from accountability.”
The United States is Israel's closest ally. Biden administration It faces increasing pressure to force its government to change its behavior in the war in Gaza.
Biden this month described the Israeli campaign as “over the top” and said civilians were suffering Must stop. He signed an executive order imposing sanctions on four settlers in the West Bank that the administration says have committed acts of violence against Palestinians, the most significant step taken against Israelis since the conflict began.
Still, Many have called on the administration to do more. The killing of two American teenage girls in the West Bank also sparked calls for a stronger American response.
But the Biden administration continues to support Israel in international forums. On Tuesday, the United States used its veto power against a Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip for the third time since the conflict began.
The United States said an immediate ceasefire could jeopardize negotiations for a six-week truce, during which Hamas would return the kidnapped Israelis. Israel will release imprisoned Palestinians and more humanitarian aid will be delivered to the besieged Strip. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US Ambassador to the United Nations, called on members to support an alternative resolution.
The United States was the only member of the 15-member council to vote against an immediate ceasefire. Britain abstained from voting. The rest voted in favour.
In The Hague on Wednesday, Visek sought to acknowledge the court's role while warning of the dangers of “bias.” He said the court should not find that Israel is legally obligated to withdraw immediately and unconditionally.
“We were all reminded of Israel’s security needs on October 7, and they continue,” he told the court. “Unfortunately, these needs have been ignored by many involved in emphasizing how the Court considers the questions before it.”
France once again condemned on Wednesday Israel's settlement policy in the occupied territories It called for the restoration of rights or compensation to the Palestinians for practices that violate international law. But she urged the court “not to go too far” in its ruling.
The session opened on Monday with statements from Palestinian officials. Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki told the court that “2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza, half of them children, are besieged and bombed, killed and maimed, starving and displaced.”
He added, “More than 3.5 million Palestinians in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, are exposed to the colonization of their lands and the racist violence that enables them to do so.”
Tuesday's statements from 10 countries on Tuesday – South Africa, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil and Chile – covered similar topics.
South Africa accused Israel of perpetuating a “more extreme form” of apartheid that existed in its country.
Vusi Madonsela, South Africa's ambassador to the Netherlands, said that the Israeli occupation “discriminates against the Palestinian people and divides them to ensure the preservation of Jewish-Israeli hegemony.”
Canada was expected to address the court on Tuesday but withdrew, saying its written statement would suffice. Canada had asked the court not to issue a fatwa for fear that it would hinder peace efforts.
With more than two dozen countries yet to speak, the hearings are scheduled to continue until Monday. The court's advisory opinion is not expected for months, and may not have any effect.
The court ordered Israel to reduce harm to civilians in Gaza. However, few see evidence that these “temporary measures” changed their behavior in the war.
