“Watershed Moment”: World reacts to ICJ ruling against Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories

Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)- International positive reaction has poured in following the ruling of the International Court of Justice that Israel’s continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territories is unlawful and should come to an end “as rapidly as possible”.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Maliki told reporters in The Hague that the ruling signaled a “watershed moment for Palestine, for justice and for international law”.

“The ICJ fulfilled its legal and moral duties with this historic ruling. All states must now uphold their clear obligations: no aid, no assistance, no complicity, no money, no arms, no trade, no nothing – no actions of any kind to support Israel’s illegal occupation,” he said.

The Australian government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it respects the ICJ’s “role in upholding international law and the rules-based order”.

“We want to see concrete steps taken by Israel to cease the expansion of settlements to respond to extremist activity,” the government said in a statement, adding that it was still “carefully considering the detail” of the ruling.

Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hadja Lahbib said in a social media post: “Belgium will always stand up for the respect of international law.”

Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the ruling “reinforces the need for a two-state solution, with an independent and viable state of Palestine living side by side with Israel, in peace and security, within the 1967 borders, which include the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital”.

The Bolivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the UN and its member states to “take appropriate measures to stop the crimes being committed in the Gaza Strip and guarantee Palestine’s right to self-determination”.

Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on Israel to end the occupation promptly, halt any new settlement activities and evacuate all existing settlements.

The ministry also urged international parties “to respect and implement the ICJ’s advisory opinion, assist the Palestinian people in exercising their right to self-determination and work to end the humanitarian suffering they endure”.

Iceland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the ICJ ruling is “clear”.

“Continued Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem is unlawful and so are its settlement activities. Iceland calls on Israel to cease all activity that violates international law,” it said.

Indonesia said the ruling “addressed the aspiration of Indonesia and the rest of the international community in delivering justice for the Palestinians”.

“Indonesia calls on the UN General Assembly and the Security Council to meet the request of the court by considering appropriate means and necessary steps to end Israel’s unlawful presence in Palestine,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin said he will work with partners in the EU and UN “to see how we can now bring to bear this authoritative opinion by the court to end … Israel’s illegal presence” in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the ICJ ruling “reflects the high provisions of international law that must be respected”.

It reiterated Qatar’s “firm position on the justice of the Palestinian cause and the moral imperative to support the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people”.

Jordan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Sadadi said: “Israel’s impunity must end. Its war crimes must be stopped. Israel must be held accountable.”

Liechtenstein’s mission to the UN said the ICJ “puts the rule of law at the center of the settlement of international disputes”.

“We look forward to working with all States on the basis of the [ruling], in particular to ensure the full application of the right to self-determination,” it said on X.

Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the international community to carry out its “legal, political and moral duties to achieve the aspirations of the brotherly Palestinian people to establish their independent state and to stop the aggression against Gaza“.

Malaysia hailed the “landmark ruling,” calling “on all states to compel Israel to abide by the ruling of the ICJ and immediately end their support to Israel in continuing its illegal occupation of Palestine.”

Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide called the ICJ ruling “crystal clear”.

“Israeli policies and practices are to be considered annexation of large parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and are in violation of international law,” he wrote on X.

Spain said the ruling “includes important pronouncements … on the illegality of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and on settlements, among other aspects”.

“The government urges the UN and the international community to take into consideration the conclusions of the report and to adopt appropriate measures in this regard,” it said.

The Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on Israel “to comply with its duties and obligations under international law” as laid out in the ICJ’s opinion.

South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola said the ruling “affirms South Africa’s long-standing position that the occupation by Israel of Palestinian territory remains unlawful under international law”.

“There is now an additional legal obligation for all states to end complicity in Israel’s illegal actions and to act to ensure respect for international law,” he said in a statement.

The newly formed Labour government of the UK said it “respects the independence of the ICJ” and is considering the ruling before making an official response.

The Foreign Office added the UK is “strongly opposed to the expansion of illegal settlements and rising settler violence”.

The Emarati Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it “rejects all measures aimed at altering the historical and legal status of the occupied Palestinian territory and all practices in contravention of resolutions on international legitimacy which threaten further escalation and instability in the region and impede endeavors to achieve peace and stability”.

Saudi Arabia welcomed the ruling while stressing the “need to take practical and credible steps to reach a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause”.

The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the international community “is obliged to take a firm and resolute stance to put an end to Israel’s illegal practices”.