ALWAGHT- According to a lawyer who represented Palestine, as reported by the Guardian, the UK should stop arming Israel in order to comply with the UN's advisory opinion against supporting the occupation of Palestinian territories.
This month, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared that Israel’s settlement policies and occupation of Palestinian territories violate international law. The court emphasized that UN member states must neither recognize nor support the occupation.
The UK is facing increasing scrutiny over its arms sales to Israel, especially in light of the ongoing Gaza offensive following the October 7 attacks, which has resulted in nearly 40,000 Palestinian deaths.
Professor Philippe Sands KC, a member of Palestine’s legal team at the ICJ, underscored the ruling's significant implications for the UK.
"The most immediate concern is the obligation set out in the advisory opinion, which includes the United Kingdom, to avoid aiding or assisting in the maintenance of the current situation in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem," Sands stated.
"This legal obligation prohibits the sale of military equipment that could be used, directly or indirectly, to support Israel in sustaining its unlawful occupation of Palestinian territories."
Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced that officials are carrying out a "thorough review of Israel’s adherence to international humanitarian law" and suggested that there may be future restrictions on arms sales to Israel.
Sands pointed out that while the ICJ's advisory opinion is not legally binding, it is regarded as an authoritative legal statement that the UN and its agencies are expected to follow.
Additionally, the ruling affects the legality of imports from Israeli settlements into the UK and other countries.
