Dismay over UK statement that opposes hearing altogether and is accused of ignoring significant facts
The UK has been accused of “seeking to block the international court of justice (ICJ) from addressing important international humanitarian law matters” in a submission to the world court on the legality of Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories.
A 43-page legal opinion, seen by the Guardian, was submitted by the UK last month as part of the ICJ’s fact-finding stage before an expected advisory opinion from the court on the legal consequences of the “occupation, settlement and annexation” of Palestinian land.
An advisory opinion would effectively settle Israel’s “bilateral dispute” without the state’s consent.
The court is not equipped to examine a “broad range of complex factual issues concerning the entire history of the parties’ dispute”.
An advisory opinion would conflict with existing agreements between the parties and negotiation frameworks endorsed by the UN.
The request is not appropriate as it asks the court to “assume unlawful conduct on the part of Israel”.
