Saudi Arabia Condemns Israeli Actions In Gaza, Seeks ICJ Advisory Opinion

Ambassador Ziad bin Maashi Al-Atiyah, representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, made a significant oral submission to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. This took place during the public hearings which commenced on February 19 and are set to conclude on February 26. These hearings are focused on evaluating the request for an advisory opinion concerning the legal consequences of Israel's policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.

The submission by the Saudi ambassador was a firm condemnation of the Israeli military's actions against the Gaza Strip and the increasing violence against Palestinians, notably in East Jerusalem. The Kingdom expressed its strong disapproval of the severe harm, including killing, destruction, and displacement inflicted upon Palestinian civilians due to what it described as a brutal and unlawful war in Gaza.

Furthermore, the statement highlighted the Kingdom's rejection of Israel's justification for its actions, which have led to devastating consequences for Gaza, including the death and injury of thousands of innocent civilians and the displacement of an entire population of approximately 2.3 million people.

The Kingdom underscored that there are no barriers to prevent the ICJ from exercising its jurisdiction to offer advisory opinions on matters concerning Israeli occupation practices and policies. It also pointed out the significant relevance of this case for all countries and the United Nations.

According to Saudi Arabia's statement, Israel's actions since 1967 have made the establishment of a Palestinian state nearly impossible. This is supported by evidence such as the annexation of over two million dunams of land, construction of more than 279 illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, illegal annexation of East Jerusalem, declaration of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, seizure of natural resources, destruction of Palestinian homes, among other violations documented in numerous United Nations reports.

The statement emphasized that there is sufficient evidence available for the ICJ regarding Israel's illegal policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territories. It stressed that it is imperative for the court to determine the legal consequences of Israel's prolonged occupation and unlawful activities in these territories.

Additionally, it was mentioned that the court's opinion would not obstruct the negotiation process aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, contrary to some claims. The Kingdom urged the ICJ to recognize Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories as illegal and called for global cooperation to end Israel's breaches of international law. Lastly, Saudi Arabia demanded an immediate and unconditional halt to the occupation itself.

This submission marks a critical moment in international efforts to address the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, highlighting Saudi Arabia's stance on this significant issue.