The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates welcomed the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday regarding the legal consequences of Israel’s occupation policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem. 

 

Ambassador Sufyan Qudah, the official spokesperson for the ministry, emphasized the significance of this historic advisory opinion, which reflects international will and law in supporting the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent, sovereign state. 

 

The opinion affirms that all states are obligated not to recognize the situation resulting from the Israeli Occupation of the Palestinian territories and not to provide aid or assistance in maintaining it. 

 

The advisory opinion declared the Israeli Occupation and settlements, as well as their annexation of occupied Palestinian lands, illegal.

 

Qudah highlighted that the advisory opinion stressed the illegality of the Israeli Occupation, settlements, and annexation of occupied Palestinian land, including any legal changes in occupied Jerusalem.

 

The advisory opinion also stated that international organizations, including the UN, should not recognize the legal situation resulting from the Israeli Occupation of the Palestinian territories. 

 

It urged the UN, particularly the General Assembly, which requested the advisory opinion, and the Security Council to consider specific methods to end the occupation as quickly as possible.

 

The advisory opinion affirmed that “Israeli” practices and policies in the occupied Palestinian territories, especially in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, obstruct the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, a right that cannot be subjected to any conditions by the occupying power, as it is an inalienable right.

 

Qudah stressed the necessity for “Israel” to implement the advisory opinion's stipulations that it must immediately cease all settlement activities, evacuate all settlers from the occupied Palestinian territories, and end its illegal occupation of the territories as soon as possible. 

 

“Israel” is also obligated to compensate for the damages to all concerned individuals and entities in the occupied Palestinian territories.

 

He pointed out that the advisory opinion reiterated the illegality of the Israeli Occupation, settlements, and annexation of occupied Palestinian land, including any legal changes in occupied Jerusalem.

 

Qudah stated that the ICJ's advisory opinion confirmed the unity of the Palestinian territories, including the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza. It also affirmed the Palestinians' right to return to their homes, highlighting that forced displacement also includes indirect methods of forcing people to leave.

 

Qudah underscored the importance of “Israel” complying with international law and international humanitarian law. He called on all UN member states to fulfill their responsibilities in implementing international decisions without selectivity or double standards.

 

Jordan presented an oral argument before the International Court of Justice in The Hague on February 22, 2024, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi. 

 

Jordan also submitted a written argument to the court on July 24, 2023, and a written comment on other countries' arguments on October 25, 2023.