The International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared Thursday, February 9, 2023 that it would continue to look into the legal ramifications of Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian Territories.

The announcement came after the UN General Assembly asked the ICJ last month for an advisory opinion on whether Israel’s occupation of Palestine is legitimate. The supreme UN court that hears disputes between states is the ICJ, which has its headquarters in Hague. While its judgments are final, it lacks authority.

In a move that Israelies denounce and Palestinian welcome, the General Assembly’s request covers Israel’s occupation of Palestine, settlements and annexation, including measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the occupied city of Jerusalem, and from its adoption of related discriminatory legislation and measures.

The UN resolution also asks the ICJ to advise on how those policies and practices “affect the legal status of the occupation” and what legal consequences arise for all countries and the UN from this status.

Naturally, Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of  the new Israeli extremist government, has referred to the request for an ICJ opinion as a “despicable decision.”

 ICJ has set a deadline of 25 July for written submissions by state bodies and organisations on the question of Israel’s occupation.