The Feb. 9 briefing incorrectly reported that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) plans to hold a hearing on South Africa’s request for an advisory opinion on Israel’s actions. Six days of hearings will be held, over Feb. 19-Feb. 26, on the basis of a Dec. 30, 2022 UN General Assembly resolution requesting an advisory opinion from the ICJ concerning Israel’s actions in the Palestinian Territories (which long pre-dates the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas assault) as a more detailed ICJ press release made clear, so it is not on a request of South Africa.
When the ICJ accepted the UNGA original request, it gave any nation the chance to present its views by July 2023. Fifty-seven countries filed replies, and by a process internal to the ICJ, “Fifty-two States and three international organizations” expressed their intent to participate in oral proceedings.” These include the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the African Union, which will present arguments. Of the 52 that will present arguments, only the U.S.A., the U.K., and Hungary did not vote, this past December, in favor of a humanitarian ceasefire, a ceasefire needed stemming from many of the same political and economic concerns itemized in the UNGA’s request for an advisory opinion.
Specific elements of the December 2022 UN General Assembly’s request for an advisory opinion in respect of the “Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem,” are itemized below:
