Egypt to participate in ICJ hearings on Israeli occupation of Palestine on Wednesday

CAIRO – 21 February 2024: Egypt will participate in the third day of public hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.

Egypt's memorandum for the proceedings affirms the illegitimacy of the Israeli occupation, which has violated international humanitarian law for the past 75 years.

It will also emphasize the illegitimate Israeli policies of annexation, eviction, and displacement of Palestinian people, which breach international law.

The memorandum will raise objections to other Israeli policies that blatantly violate international humanitarian and human rights laws, including persecution and racial discrimination.

Fifty-two states and three international organizations are participating in the oral proceedings, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Algeria, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Sudan, Tunisia, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Arab League.

The United States, Turkey, Russia, Canada, China, and Iran are also participating.

European states participating in the hearings include the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Ireland, Norway, the United Kingdom, Slovenia, Switzerland, Hungary, Spain, and Luxembourg.

Several African non-Arab countries, including South Africa, Comoros, The Gambia, Namibia, and Zambia, are also participating, along with the African Union.

There is also significant participation from South American countries, including Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, and Guyana.

During the ICJ hearings on Monday, Palestinian representatives called for declaring the Israeli occupation of Palestine illegal, with the aim of achieving a two-state solution and lasting peace.

In January, the ICJ ordered Israel to take all necessary measures to prevent acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip, which has been subjected to relentless Israeli attacks since October 7, according to a separate case brought by South Africa.

Egypt has been advocating for the implementation of a two-state solution to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and establish an independent Palestinian state.