UN Court Ruling: Israel's Settlements Violate International Law

The International Court of Justice has ruled that Israel's settlement policy and natural resource use in occupied Palestinian territories violate international law. The court's ruling, though non-binding, may influence global opinion and increase international isolation for Israel. Palestinian leaders have called for an immediate end to the occupation.

The United Nations' top court has ruled that Israel's settlement policy and exploitation of natural resources in the occupied Palestinian territories violate international law, according to a statement by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

A 15-judge panel declared that Israel's transfer of settlers to the West Bank and Jerusalem, along with maintaining their presence, breaches Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. The ICJ president, Nawaf Salam, spent an hour reading the court’s full opinion on Friday.

This non-binding advisory opinion addresses the legality of Israel's 57-year occupation of lands sought for a Palestinian state. The hearing follows on the heels of Israel's 10-month military conflict in Gaza. In a separate case, the court is also reviewing a South African claim of possible genocide against Israel, which the country denies.