First 10 countries made clear Israel’s occupation unlawful, should end immediately
It was an eventful today at the court, with presentations from South Africa, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil and Chile.
Canada was also initially scheduled to present its arguments but decided to pull out at the last minute.
The question of whether the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories is unlawful was very clearly answered by all 10 countries: It is absolutely unlawful and it should end immediately.
South Africa argued that this is a colonial apartheid system and that settlements have to be dismantled and reparations paid. Even countries that have very strong ties with Israel, like the Netherlands and Belgium, had very strong words of condemnation.
One legal argument that was very much dominant throughout the hearing was the permanence of the occupation. Israel has long argued that the occupation is temporary, but these countries have argued that there is no evidence that this is so.
That violates international law. There was condemnation for the defiance shown by Israel for the hundreds of resolutions that have been passed over the years.
Al Jazeera’s Step Vaessen is going to continue monitoring this event tomorrow as these were only 10 of the more than 50 countries we will hear from over six days here at the Peace Palace in The Hague.
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