International reactions have been mounting since the United Nations Supreme Court ruled that Israel’s continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory was illegal and must end swiftly.
Palestinian officials hailed the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling as a “turning point” in their decades-long struggle for justice. Israel quickly condemned Friday’s decision, while its main ally, the United States, criticized it on Saturday after an initial silence.
Although non-binding, the advisory ruling by the 15 judges concluded that Israel has no right to sovereignty over the occupied territory, has violated international law prohibiting the acquisition of territory by force and blocks the Palestinians’ right to self-determination.
It also stipulates that countries are required not to “provide aid or assistance to maintain” Israel’s presence in the territory.
Here’s how the world reacted:
Australia
The government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it respected the “role of the ICJ in upholding international law and the rules-based order”.
“We want to see concrete steps taken by Israel to halt settlement expansion in response to extremist activity,” the government said in a statement, adding that it was “still carefully reviewing the details” of the decision.
Belgium
Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib said in a message posted on social media: “Belgium will always defend respect for international law.”
The International Court of Justice has ruled that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory is not in accordance with international law and that settlement activities must cease.
Belgium will always defend respect for international law.
– Hadja Lahbib (@hadjalahbib) July 19, 2024
Brazil
The Foreign Ministry said the decision “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 Foreign Ministry called on the UN and its member states to “take appropriate measures to end the crimes committed in the Gaza Strip and ensure Palestine’s right to self-determination.”
Bolivia severed relations with Israel in the early days of the war and later became the first Latin American country to support a separate genocide case brought against Israel by South Africa at the ICJ.
Egypt
The Foreign Ministry called on Israel to swiftly end the occupation, cease all new settlement activity and evacuate all existing settlements.
The ministry also urged international parties to “respect and implement the ICJ advisory opinion, help the Palestinian people exercise their right to self-determination and work to end the humanitarian suffering they are enduring.”
Iceland
The Foreign Office said the ICJ ruling was “clear”.
“The continued Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem is illegal, as are its settlement activities. Iceland calls on Israel to cease all activities that violate international law,” she said.
The ICJ advisory opinion is clear. Israel’s continued occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem is illegal, as are its settlement activities. Iceland calls on Israel to cease all activities that violate international law.
— MFA Iceland 🇮🇸 (@MFAIceland) July 20, 2024
UNITED STATES
The administration of President Joe Biden, which often emphasizes the “rules-based order,” criticized the decision while acknowledging that Israeli settlements are “incompatible” with international law.
“We are concerned that the breadth of the Court’s opinion will complicate efforts to resolve the conflict and achieve an urgently needed just and lasting peace, with two states living side by side in peace and security,” the US State Department told Reuters news agency.
Indonesia
The Southeast Asian country said the decision “responds to the aspiration of Indonesia and the rest of the international community to deliver justice to the Palestinians.”
“Indonesia calls on the UN General Assembly and the Security Council to respond to the Court’s request by considering appropriate means and necessary measures to end Israel’s illegal presence in Palestine,” the foreign ministry said.
Ireland
Foreign Secretary Michael Martin said he would work with his EU and UN partners “to see how we can now implement this authoritative court opinion to end Israel’s illegal presence” in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Qatar
The Foreign Ministry said the ICJ ruling “reflects the high standards of international law that must be respected.”
He 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.”
The State of Qatar welcomes the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and East Jerusalem
🔗Read more: https://t.co/FrA6b3Axry#MOFAQQatar pic.twitter.com/xS4BnwNHtC
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) July 20, 2024
Jordan
Foreign Minister Ayman Sadadi said: “Israel’s impunity must end. Its war crimes must stop. Israel must be held accountable for its actions.”
Israel’s response to the ICJ ruling and the Knesset resolution aimed at preventing the realization of the Palestinian people’s right to freedom demonstrates once again Israel’s utter disregard for international law. Israel’s impunity must end. Its war crimes must stop. Israel must be held accountable.
– Ayman Safadi (@AymanHsafadi) July 19, 2024
Kuwait
The Gulf country’s foreign ministry called on the international community to fulfill its “legal, political and moral duties to realize the aspirations of the brotherly Palestinian people to establish their independent state and end the aggression against Gaza.”
Liechtenstein
The European principality’s mission to the UN said the ICJ “places the rule of law at the centre of the settlement of international disputes”.
“We look forward to working with all States on the basis of the decision, in particular to ensure the full implementation of the right to self-determination,” he said on X.
LI greets today’s day @CIJ_ICJ Advisory Opinion, which places the rule of law at the heart of international dispute resolution. We look forward to working with all States on the basis of the Advisory Opinion, in particular to ensure the full implementation of the right to self-determination.
– Liechtenstein UN (@LiechtensteinUN) July 19, 2024
Malaysia
The Southeast Asian country welcomed the “historic decision.”
“Malaysia calls on all states to compel Israel to comply with the ICJ ruling and immediately stop supporting Israel in its continued illegal occupation of Palestine,” he said.
PRESS RELEASE: MALAYSIA WELCOMES INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE RULING ON PALESTINE QUESTION pic.twitter.com/ViN2LEpmhY
– Wisma Putra (@MalaysiaMFA) July 20, 2024
Norway
Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide described the ICJ’s decision as “crystal clear”.
“Israeli policies and practices must be considered an annexation of large parts of the occupied Palestinian territory and constitute a violation of international law,” he wrote on X.
The ICJ is very clear: Israeli policies and practices must be considered as an annexation of large parts of the occupied Palestinian territory and constitute a violation of international law.
This is an unequivocal message to Israel, which we expect it to comply with immediately.
— Espen Barth Eide (@EspenBarthEide) July 19, 2024
Spain
Madrid said the judgment “includes important statements… on the illegality of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and on settlements, among other aspects.”
“The government urges the UN and the international community to take into consideration the findings of the report and adopt appropriate measures in this regard,” he said.
Slovenia
The Foreign Ministry called on Israel to “comply with its duties and obligations under international law,” as stipulated in the ICJ opinion.
Slovenia welcomes the advisory opinion of @CIJ_ICJ on the legal consequences arising from Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.
Slovenia calls on Israel to comply with its duties and obligations under… pic.twitter.com/1JmMx3s66c
— MFEA Slovenia (@MZEZ_RS) July 19, 2024
South Africa
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola said the decision “confirms South Africa’s long-standing position that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory remains illegal under international law.”
“There is now an additional legal obligation on all states to end their complicity in Israel’s illegal actions and to act to ensure compliance with international law,” he said in a statement.
United Kingdom
The newly formed Labour government said it “respected the independence of the ICJ” and was studying the ruling before giving a formal response.
The Foreign Office added that the UK was “firmly opposed to the expansion of illegal settlements and the rise in settler violence”.
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, which established formal diplomatic relations with Israel in 2020, “welcomed” the decision.
The Foreign Ministry said it “rejects all measures aimed at changing the historical and legal status of the occupied Palestinian territory and all practices contrary to resolutions on international legitimacy that threaten further escalation and greater instability in the region and hinder efforts to achieve peace and stability.”
Saudi Arabia
The kingdom welcomed this decision while stressing the “need to take practical and credible measures to achieve a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause.”
#Statement | Saudi Arabia welcomes the ICJ’s advisory opinion on Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, which confirms the illegality of Israel’s presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the past 57 years. pic.twitter.com/3jtVZ4ZAEG
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) July 19, 2024
Türkiye
The Foreign Ministry said the international community “is obliged to take a firm and resolute stance to end Israel’s illegal practices.”
Concerning the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice pic.twitter.com/QU8Yv0jhUd
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye (@MFATurkiye) July 19, 2024