Archbishop of Canterbury: Ending Israeli occupation is a ‘legal and moral necessity’

London (Quds News Network)- The archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has called for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands and urged governments around the world to uphold international law.
In a statement issued on Friday in response to an advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) two weeks ago, which addressed Israel’s presence in occupied Palestine, Welby said that the advisory opinion “makes definitively clear” that Israel’s presence is “unlawful and needs to end as rapidly as possible.”
Welby is the principal leader of the Church of England and ceremonial head of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
The ICJ found that Israel’s decades-long occupation of Palestinian territories was “unlawful” and that its “near-complete separation” of people in the occupied West Bank breached international laws concerning “racial segregation” and “apartheid”.
“At a time when the world is marked by increasing violations of international law – and commitment to a rules-based system is in question – it is imperative that governments around the world reaffirm their unwavering commitment to all decisions by the ICJ, irrespective of the situation,” the statement read.
Welby added that it is “clear to me that the regime imposed by successive Israeli governments in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is one of systemic discrimination,” having visited “our Palestinian Christian brothers and sisters many times over recent decades.”
“Through annexing Palestinian land for illegal settlements, depriving Palestinians access to their own natural resources, and imposing a system of military rule that denies them safety and justice, the State of Israel has been denying the Palestinian people dignity, freedom and hope.”
“I am particularly aware of how this is impacting Palestinian Christians, threatening their future and viability. It is clear that ending the occupation is a legal and moral necessity.”
Welby said he “ pray that all UN member states respond positively to this Advisory Opinion by ensuring their individual and common actions are consistent with it – and pave the way for the realization of the Palestinian people’s fundamental right to self-determination.”