Palestinian Foreign Minister Urges UN to End Illegal Occupation by Israel

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki (rightmost) at the International Court (ICJ) hearing in The Hague, Netherlands, Monday (19/2/2024). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki urged the court to stop the Israeli occupation and deem it "illegal," in his speech before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Monday evening.

"We call on the International Court of Justice to declare the Israeli occupation illegal and emphasize the need to end it immediately and unconditionally," said al-Maliki in a hearing at the ICJ, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, February 20.

A court hearing began on Monday regarding the legal implications arising from Israel's policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territories.

"It is time to end double standards and uphold international law in all countries without exception," he said.

Al-Maliki highlighted the bitter reality faced by Palestinians, and said Israel left Palestinians with only three options: displacement, detention or death."

Al-Maliki further said that Palestine remains the greatest test of the credibility of the law-based international system, and humanity cannot afford its failure.

The Palestinian Foreign Minister also spoke to journalists after the hearing began at the ICJ, stating that the International Court of Justice would provide its legal opinion regarding Israel's practices in the occupied Palestinian territories.

“The source of all the suffering experienced by our people is the illegal and colonial occupation and (Israel's) apartheid regime,” he said.

"Formulas that do not address the underlying sources of this problem will sow the seeds of further tragedy, while assisting Israel in imprisoning Palestinians in its colonial agenda and committing unlawful acts," he added.

Al-Maliki stressed that the process will help end the Israeli occupation immediately, unconditionally and completely and will enable the Palestinian people to realize their inalienable rights, such as determining their destiny and achieving national independence within the limits established by law. internationally, together with Israel, and live in peace, mutual security and dignity.

"We will continue to do this tirelessly and persistently. Palestine and the Palestinian people are not alone in their efforts to demand justice," he said.

"The proceedings at the ICJ that began today clearly show that Israeli occupation, apartheid, and persecution of the Palestinian people cannot be justified or condoned," he stressed.