In a hearing on Wednesday at the highest court of the United Nations, the US and Russia will present arguments looking into the legality of Israel's occupation of Palestinian Territories.
The U. N. General Assembly requested that the International Court of Justice( ICJ), also known as the World Court, render a non-binding opinion on the occupation's legal repercussions in 2022.
Israel, who is not participating, claimed in written comments that the court's involvement might make it more difficult to reach an agreement. Washington opposed the court's decision to issue an opinion in 2022, and it is anticipated that it will do so on Wednesday.
Arguments will be presented by more than 50 states through February 26. On Wednesday, France and Egypt were also scheduled to speak.
Palestinian representatives pleaded with the judges on Monday to declare Israel's occupation of their territory illegal, saying that doing so might lead to a two-state solution.
Ten states, including South Africa, overwhelmingly condemned Israel's actions in the occupied territories on Tuesday, and many urged the court to outlaw the occupation.
The 15-judge panel of the ICJ has been asked to examine Israel's “occupation, settlement, and annexation… including measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, and from its adoption of related discriminatory legislation and measures.”
The request also asks the judges to take into account the occupation's legal standing and its effects on states, and it is anticipated that they will take about six months to respond.
When the World Court ruled in 2004 that Israel's West Bank separation wall violated international law and needed to be removed, Israel disregarded the ruling, extending it instead.
