The Palestinian envoy tells the judicial assistance used as a “weapon of war”, since Israeli Foreign Minister condemns “delegitimization” or his country.
The International Court of Justice (ICI) has opened hearings to evaluate Israel’s responsibility for the humanitarian crisis that surrounds Gaza during his war against Hamas.
The hearings, which are found on Monday in The Hague and will be held during the week, follow a request last year of the United Nations General Assembly asking the court to evaluate Israel’s responsibility to guarantee the provision of essential supplies to Gaza.
From the beginning of the war 18 months ago, Israel has blocked the aid, leaving the Palestinians facing a serious shortage of food, water, fuel and medicine.
During the next five days, 38 countries, including the United States, China, France, Russia and Saudi Arabia, will go to the 15 judges panel to consider how Israel’s actions are pleased with international law.
The League of the Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the African Union will also present their arguments about Israel’s obligations to ensure that help arrives in Gaza.
‘Weapon of War’
The senior Palestinian official Ammar Hijazi told the judges that Israel was blocking the help to use as a “gun of war.”
No food or medical supplies has reached 2.3 million residents of the Gaza Strip since March 2, when Israel imposed what has its longest blockade of the territory. It was followed two weeks later by the collapse of a high two monh fire.
“These are the facts. Hunger is here. Humanitarian aid is being used as a gun,” said Hijazi.
The ICJ has been commissioned by the UN to provide an advisory opinion “on a priority basis and with maximum urgency.”
Although an immediate ruling is not expected, the Court’s advice opinion will probably shape future international legal approaches.
However, it is not binding, which means that its impact depends on the states on which they choose to enforce or ignore it.
The ruling “will probably be ignored by Israel, as he has done with other CIJ judges, the International Criminal Court and other international legal organizations,” said Rory Challands de Al Jazeera, informing from The Hague.
However, he added that “pressure tide is increasing” in Israel as a growing list of international courts have ruled against actions.
What the UN is saying, Challands, he said, is that “Israel basically has a double obligation here under international law. It has a mopleness as an occupation power in the Palestinian territories … which includes education and systems of acceleration of children, and opening systems, and opening systems and humanitarian aid systems.
“It also has a great default as a signatory for the UN Charter, because the UN has immunities and exemptions that establish it is separated from other institutions and other multilateral organizations,” Challands continued.
‘Systematic persecution’
The ICJ will consider the positions of state actors and international organizations in their deliberations.
However, he will not listen directly to Israeli representatives. Rather, Tel Aviv has presented written tips and objections.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar responded to the opening of hearings by marking “part of a systematic persecution and delegation of Israel” in comments to journalists in Jerusalem.
“It is not Israel who should be in trial. It is the UN and the UNRWA,” he insisted, referring to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, which Israel prevents Gaza between the aid.
