International Court of Justice: Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli actions

Hearings on the legal implications of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories continued on Tuesday in the second day of the overall proceedings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

On the second day of the hearing, the representatives of South Africa, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, Bangladesh and Belgium have presented their initial arguments, while Pakistan will present its arguments in the hearing on February 23.

This is the biggest case in the history of the International Court of Justice, in which more than 50 countries are giving arguments and at least three international organizations will also put their arguments before the judges until February 26.

Israel is not participating in the hearing but has sent a five-page written statement saying the court’s advisory opinion would be “harmful” to efforts to resolve the dispute.

It insists that the questions raised by the General Assembly are ‘biased’.

A decision on the case is expected in the next few months after deliberations by the judges. However, the court does not have the power to enforce its decisions.

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia condemned Israel’s military operations in the Palestinian territories and said that they cannot be legally defended.

According to Arab News, the ambassador of Saudi Arabia in the Netherlands, Ziad al-Attiyah, has strongly criticized Israel’s military operations in the occupied Palestinian territories, saying that he cannot legally defend them.

Ziad al-Attiyah stressed the need to hold Israel accountable for its disregard for international law and its continued impunity, particularly for its treatment of civilians in Gaza.

Saudi Arabia expressed deep concern over the civilian deaths and rejected Israel’s argument of self-defense, saying it was unjustified to deprive Palestinians of their basic means of survival.

Ziad al-Attiyah accused Israel of inhumane treatment of Palestinians and called for action from the international community.

Regarding the Court’s jurisdiction, Ziad al-Attiyah asserted that the arguments against its jurisdiction were weak and urged the International Court of Justice to issue an opinion on the matter.

Saudi Arabia condemned Israel’s disregard for cease-fire demands and temporary measures, as well as the expansion of illegal settlements and the expulsion of Palestinians from their homes.

Saudi Arabia has highlighted Israel’s violations of its international obligations, including ignoring UN resolutions and preventing Palestinians from exercising their right to self-defense.

Riyadh’s intentions to maintain and expand Israel’s illegal settlements, as reflected in its 2018 Basic Law declaring all of occupied Jerusalem as its capital, also undermine Palestinians’ right to self-determination. Criticized Tel Aviv.