USA warned this Wednesday the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that “any movement towards withdrawal” from Israel of West Bank and the Gaza Strip requires guaranteeing the “very real security” of the Israeli state, and insisted that only negotiations can lead to “lasting peace” in the region.
In its long-awaited intervention before the ICJ, the United States assured that “a comprehensive, just and lasting peace requires negotiations between the parties” and stressed that the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied territories “depends on and is linked to the end of belligerence, mutual recognition and respect for Israel’s right to live in peace within secure and recognized borders, free from threats or acts of force.”
“Any move toward Israel’s withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza requires consideration of Israel’s very real security needs. “October 7 (Hamas attack) reminded us all of those security needs, which still persist.”said US Representative Richard Visek in hearings analyzing the legal consequences of Israeli practices and policies in the occupied Palestinian territories.
In this sense, Visek rejected that the ICJ issues “an opinion that demands a unilateral, immediate and unconditional withdrawal by Israel, which does not take into account the legitimate security needs of Israel.”
Furthermore, he admitted that “international law has an important and central role to play here,” but considered that the ICJ has “the challenge” and “serious and difficult task” of giving an advisory opinion that “promotes, rather than disrupts.” , balance, or potentially make the possibility of negotiations even more difficult.”
“The Hamas attack, hostage-taking and other atrocities, ongoing hostilities, the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, and violence in the West Bank urge the United States to achieve a final peace that includes the realization of Palestinian self-determination. The current crisis illustrates the vital need to achieve this final peace of a Palestinian State living safely alongside a secure and fully integrated Israel in the region,” he assured.
However, he considered that this conflict “cannot be resolved with violence or unilateral actions, negotiations are the way,” and urged the ICJ to “carefully calibrate its advice in this procedure to support and promote a final realization of peace and stability.” ” within the framework of the resolutions of the UN Security Council.
In response to countries that have intervened in the hearings and criticized US support for Israeli practices in Palestine, Visek assured that the United States has “repeatedly declared its strong opposition to any unilateral attempt to change the peacefully established status of territories by force.” or coercion, anywhere in the world” and stated that “the occupation of territory by force is prohibited.”
At the request of the UN General Assembly in 2022, before the offensive in Gaza, the ICJ this week analyzes “the legal consequences derived from Israel’s policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem”, to issue a non-binding legal opinion. EFE (I)
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