UN Declares Israeli Settlements in Palestinian Territories Illegal, Demands Removal

The United Nations' top court has ruled that Israel's settlements in the Palestinian territories are illegal and must be removed immediately. The court's opinion, while not legally binding, provides an authoritative view on the legal status of the settlements.

The United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled that Israel's settlements in the Palestinian territories are illegal and must be removed immediately. ICJ President Nawaf Salam emphasized that "the continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is illegal."

The opinion was delivered on Friday and is merely advisory, not legally binding. The court aimed to provide its perspective on Israel's settlement policies and practices, as well as the legal status of these settlements.

UN Declares Israeli Settlements in Palestinian Territories Illegal, Demands Removal

In May, the ICJ had demanded that Israel "immediately halt its military offensive" against Hamas in Rafah, the Palestinian terrorist group's stronghold in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly rejected the court's conclusion, stating that "Jewish people are not occupiers in their own land, including in our eternal capital Jerusalem nor in Judea and Samaria, our historic homeland."

UN Declares Israeli Settlements in Palestinian Territories Illegal, Demands Removal

The Israeli Foreign Ministry released a longer statement through spokesperson Oren Marmorstein, rejecting the ICJ's opinion as "fundamentally wrong." Marmorstein argued that the opinion mixes politics and law and ignores the security imperative of Israel to defend its territory and citizens.

Anne Bayefsky, director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust, criticized the court's opinion, saying it "literally throws out the Oslo Accords and U.N. Security Council resolutions."

UN Declares Israeli Settlements in Palestinian Territories Illegal, Demands Removal

Bayefsky questioned the legitimacy of the court, highlighting its president's political background and the antisemitic majority within the UN. She expressed concern that the opinion could lead to the devastation and destruction of the Jewish state.

Israel has previously faced legal challenges from the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has filed arrest warrant applications against Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, along with Hamas leaders.

UN Declares Israeli Settlements in Palestinian Territories Illegal, Demands Removal

The State Department did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment by the time of publication.

The ICJ's opinion adds to the ongoing debate over the legality of Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories. The ruling is likely to further inflame tensions between Israel and the Palestinians, who have been locked in a long and unresolved conflict.

UN Declares Israeli Settlements in Palestinian Territories Illegal, Demands Removal