What is the role of global institutions in addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

Two important events about the Israeli occupation of Palestine happened on July 19 and September 18.

On July 19, and September 18, two crucial events about the Israeli occupation happened. The International Court of Justice has said that Israel illegally occupied ‌Palestine’s territory. It is good for Israel to stop this occupation right away. After two months, the United Nations General Assembly gave a clear time limit and said within that time Israel should end this occupation. 

This announcement makes the Palestinians happy. This decision by the ICJ and UNGA showed that people across the world do not agree with Israel making the occupation permanent. At the same time, some did not agree with this decision. They feel that ‌the world has not done enough to stop Israel’s attacks on Gaza or follow past decisions.

Israel’s media ignored this announcement and Western media paid attention to the fact that decisions are non-binding. It’s meant they didn’t have legal power. 

In the end, the decisions seem good, but without action, Palestinians doubt things will change.

Without enforcement, the effectiveness of international laws is reduced. However, it is important to keep in mind the recent decisions of the International Court of Justice and the United Nations General Assembly. 

The ICJ’s latest opinion, asked by the UNGA in 2023, looks at how Israeli actions affect Palestinian human rights in the Occupied Territories, including East Jerusalem. This opinion is wider than their 2004 decision. The main focus of that decision was only on the Separation Wall. 

The International Court of Justice’s outcomes were based on the testimonies of 52 nations and 3 international organizations. All of them showed ‌great support for Palestine and fought for them to get justice. 

According to this opinion, Israel should end the occupation as soon as possible. They should withdraw military forces, stop settlement expansion, remove settlers, and tear down parts of the Separation Wall.

This challenges Israel’s previous success in gaining American support, which has helped Israel claim control over Palestinian land. The ICJ’s decision is a reminder of international support for Palestinian rights.

Back to September 18, when the UNGA passed a resolution and said Israel should end the occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza. Israel can not avoid this complexity anymore. Israel must follow International laws and remove its military force. Israel also stopped new settlements and took down parts of the separation wall in the West Bank. 

Nations; approximately 124 stand in favour of this resolution. At the same time, 14 nations opposed it. This opposition and favouritism highlight the divide between those who follow international law and those who don’t. Israel gets a 12-month deadline from the United Nations to end the occupation. 

Although military occupations are supposed to be temporary, Israel has turned this situation into a permanent one, breaking international laws like the Fourth Geneva Convention.

If Israel does not obey the decisions of the ICJ and UNGA, then it will break two important laws. One is an old United Nations resolution, and the 2nd is the most recent one. Western media said that these decisions are non-binding, but they do not dent the fact that Israel’s occupation is illegal. Additionally, there is global support for Palestine, and media coverage can not change the decision of the ICJ. 

However, a UN resolution will not free Palestine. These resolutions show the power balance in the world, so Palestinians and their supporters should not expect them to force Israel out of the West Bank and Gaza.

In the end, Palestinians will need to free themselves. Still, the global community’s support is important. It shows the legitimacy of the Palestinian struggle, creates international solidarity, and increases pressure on Israel for breaking international laws and violating Palestinian rights.