UN Court Delivers Advisory Opinion on Israel's Occupation of Palestinian Territories

The United Nations court is set to deliver a nonbinding advisory opinion on Friday regarding the legality of Israel's 57-year occupation of territories sought by Palestinians. The ruling might influence international opinion but is unlikely to alter Israeli policies. Israel captured the areas in the 1967 Mideast war.

The United Nations court will deliver a nonbinding advisory opinion on Friday, evaluating the legality of Israel's 57-year occupation of lands desired by Palestinians for a future state. This ruling could impact global perspectives more significantly than it will affect Israeli policies.

The session comes in the wake of a destructive 10-month Israeli military campaign in Gaza, provoked by Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel. Concurrently, the International Court of Justice is assessing a South African claim that Israel's Gaza campaign constitutes genocide—a claim Israel firmly denies.

Captured in the 1967 Mideast war, the West Bank, east Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip are sought by Palestinians for an independent state. While Israel considers the West Bank as disputed territory to be negotiated, it has annexed east Jerusalem and withdrawn from Gaza in 2005, maintaining a blockade after Hamas took control in 2007. Globally, these regions are viewed as occupied territories.