States around world welcome ICJ ruling, call for end of occupation

Tehran, Qudsna - Most governments welcomed the advisory decision of the International Court of Justice regarding the occupation of the Zionist regime in the Palestinian territories and considered the continuation of the regime's settlements in the occupied territories illegal.

Australia

The government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it respects the ICJ’s “role in upholding international law and the rules-based order.”

Belgium

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hadja Lahbib said in a social media post: “Belgium will always stand up for the respect of international law.”

Brazil

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the ruling “reinforces the need for a two-state solution, with an independent and viable state of Palestine living side by side with Israel, in peace and security, within the 1967 borders, which include the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

Bolivia

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the UN and its member states to “take appropriate measures to stop the crimes being committed in the Gaza Strip and guarantee Palestine’s right to self-determination.”

Egypt

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on Israel to end the occupation promptly, halt any new settlement activities and evacuate all existing settlements.

Iceland

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the ICJ ruling is “clear”. “Continued Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem is unlawful and so are its settlement activities. Iceland calls on Israel to cease all activity that violates international law,” it said.

United States

The administration of President Joe Biden, which often stresses the “rules-based order”, criticized the ruling despite acknowledging that Israeli settlements are “inconsistent” with international law.

Indonesia

The Southeast Asian country said the ruling “addressed the aspiration of Indonesia and the rest of the international community in delivering justice for the Palestinians”.

Ireland

Foreign Minister Michael Martin said he will work with partners in the EU and UN “to see how we can now bring to bear this authoritative opinion by the court to end … Israel’s illegal presence” in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Qatar

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the ICJ ruling “reflects the high provisions of international law that must be respected”. It reiterated Qatar’s “firm position on the justice of the Palestinian cause and the moral imperative to support the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people.”

Jordan

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Sadadi said: “Israel’s impunity must end. Its war crimes must be stopped. Israel must be held accountable.”

Kuwait

The Gulf country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the international community to carry out its “legal, political and moral duties to achieve the aspirations of the brotherly Palestinian people to establish their independent state and to stop the aggression against Gaza.”

Liechtenstein

The European principality’s mission to the UN said the ICJ “puts the rule of law at the center of the settlement of international disputes”.

Malaysia

The Southeast Asian country hailed the “landmark ruling”. “Malaysia calls on all states to compel Israel to abide by the ruling of the ICJ and immediately end their support to Israel in continuing its illegal occupation of Palestine,” it said.

Norway

Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide called the ICJ ruling “crystal clear”. “Israeli policies and practices are to be considered annexation of large parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and are in violation of international law,” he wrote on X.

Spain

Madrid said the ruling “includes important pronouncements … on the illegality of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and on settlements, among other aspects.”

Slovenia

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on Israel “to comply with its duties and obligations under international law” as laid out in the ICJ’s opinion.

South Africa

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola said the ruling “affirms South Africa’s long-standing position that the occupation by Israel of Palestinian territory remains unlawful under international law.”

United Kingdom

The newly formed Labour government said it “respects the independence of the ICJ” and is considering the ruling before making an official response. The Foreign Office added the UK is “strongly opposed to the expansion of illegal settlements and rising settler violence.”

United Arab Emirates

The UAE, which established formal diplomatic ties with Israel in 2020, “welcomed” the ruling.

Saudi Arabia

The kingdom welcomed the ruling while stressing the “need to take practical and credible steps to reach a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause.”

Turkiye

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the international community “is obliged to take a firm and resolute stance to put an end to Israel’s illegal practices.”