International law obligates Israel to end occupation, says UN-mandated commission

Geneva [Switzerland], October 19: All countries and international organisations, including the United Nations, have obligations under international law to bring an end to Israel's unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, according to a new legal position paper released on Friday by a top independent human rights panel.
The paper details the obligations of Israel, third-party countries, and the UN to bring an end to the unlawful occupation, according to the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel.
"Israel's internationally wrongful acts give rise to State responsibility, not only for Israel, but for all States," said Navi Pillay, chair of the UN Human Rights Council-mandated commission, adding, "All States are obligated not to recognise territorial or sovereignty claims made by Israel over the occupied territories."
Explaining the commission's paper, Pillay said that countries must demonstrate how their dealings differ regarding Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
As an example, she noted that a country must not recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel or place its diplomatic representatives to Israel in Jerusalem, which Palestinians claim as the capital of their future State.
In addition, countries must not render aid or assistance in maintaining the unlawful occupation, which includes financial, military, and political aid or support, the commission chair said.
The paper also details how the General Assembly and the Security Council can identify and implement the precise actions required to bring the occupation to an end as rapidly as possible.
The commission found that the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, is authoritative and unambiguous in stating that Israel's continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful.
"The commission has always stated that the root cause of the protracted conflict and cycles of violence is the occupation," Pillay said, noting that its 2022 report to the General Assembly concluded that the occupation is unlawful under international law.
"The Commission welcomed the historic advisory opinion from the highest court in the United Nations system," she said, adding, "It is incumbent on all States to work cooperatively to bring the unlawful occupation to an end and to work towards the full realisation of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination."
Pillay called on all countries to implement the General Assembly resolution passed on 13th September, 2024.
On 17th September, the General Assembly adopted a resolutionduring its 10th emergency special session, calling for an end to Israeli occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory within one year.
The UN Human Rights Council mandated the commission in May 2021 to "investigate, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in Israel, all alleged violations of international humanitarian law and all alleged violations and abuses of international human rights law leading up to and since 13th April, 2021."
Source: Emirates News agency