Ireland's Tánaiste Micheál Martin responded to the advisory opinion delivered by the International Court of Justice on Friday, July 19 in respect of the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.
In its opinion, the Court reaffirmed that Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the régime associated with them, have been established and are being maintained in violation of international law.
The Tánaiste said in a statement on Friday that he "very much welcomes" the advisory opinion that was handed down in the International Court of Justice in The Hague earlier in the day.
He said that while the Court's Opinion is "lengthy and complex" and will require more detailed consideration, "it largely confirms the Government’s legal analysis - outlined in Ireland’s written and oral submissions, and presented by the Attorney General to the Court back in February 2024 - that Israel’s settlement and related policies in the OPT amount to illegal annexation."
He continued: "Ireland’s core objective in making submissions in this case was to encourage the Court to clarify the rights of the Palestinian people in international law. This is essential, both to counter increasing misinformation internationally on this point, as well as to ensure that these rights are fully respected in any future settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"It is absolutely clear that there can be no just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict without respect for international law. The Court’s authoritative clarification of the legal consequences of Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is of fundamental importance in this context.
"I would also emphasise that, in its Opinion, the Court concluded that Israel’s continued presence in the OPT is unlawful, and that Israel is under an obligation to bring it to an end as rapidly as possible. It said that the precise modalities and the further action required to do that are to be considered by the UN General Assembly and the Security Council.
"I will be engaging with partners – in the EU, across the region, and more widely within the United Nations – to see how we can now bring to bear this authoritative opinion by the Court to end to Israel’s illegal presence in the OPT, and bring about the full realisation of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.
"Ireland will remain committed to the two-State solution endorsed over many decades by the UN Security Council: a safe and secure Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign and viable State of Palestine, living side by side in peace within secure and recognised borders, based on those of 1967, with Jerusalem as the future capital of both states."
My statement on the Advisory Opinion delivered by the International Court of Justice today ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/haa6BwibPI
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) July 19, 2024
Meanwhile, Martin said earlier on Friday that he was "appalled" by a resolution from the Knesset, Israel's parliament, opposing a Palestinian State even if it was part of a negotiated settlement with Israel.
Martin signaled his support for a statement issued by the European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU's diplomatic service, which said in part that it "deplored" the Knesset's resolution.
"In line with its longstanding common position and UN Security Council Resolutions, the EU will not recognise changes to the 1967 borders unless agreed by the parties," the EEAS statement added.
Appalled by Knesset resolution opposing Palestinian State even if part of negotiated settlement w/ Israel
Israel cannot veto establishment of a Palestinian State
Only the two-State solution can provide lasting peace for Israel & Palestine
Full support to HRVP statement👇 https://t.co/4a0qjdUXsS
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) July 19, 2024
In March, the Tanaiste announced that Ireland will intervene in the case initiated by South Africa against Israel under the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice, which is a separate proceeding from the advisory opinion that was issued on Friday.
In May, Ireland, in concert with Spain and Norway, formally recognized Palestine "as a sovereign and independent state" and agreed to establish full diplomatic relations between Dublin and Ramallah.
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