The separation wall in the occupied Palestinian territories, behind which are Israeli settlements. UN commission: All states have legal responsibility for supporting the occupation of Palestinian territories International law
All states and international organizations, including the UN, have obligations under international law in connection with Israel’s illegal presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel has said.
The document published on Friday sets out the legal position of the commission on the obligations of Israel, other countries and the UN regarding the occupation.
“Israel’s internationally illegal actions entail responsibility not only for Israel, but for all states,” explained commission chairperson Navi Pillay. “All states are obliged not to recognize territorial claims or claims to sovereignty made by Israel regarding the occupied territories.”
As an example, she noted that states should not recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and should not locate their diplomatic missions in Israel there. Furthermore, states may not provide assistance to an illegal occupation, which includes financial, military and political support, the commission chairperson added.
The commission concluded that the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the Legal Consequences of Israeli Policies and Practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, authoritatively and unequivocally held that Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is illegal.
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