Brussels: The European Union (EU) has called on Israel to comply with the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding its obligations in the field of humanitarian assistance and cooperation with the United Nations in the occupied Palestinian territories. Anouar El Anouni, spokesperson for the European Commission, addressed the ICJ advisory opinion on the legal consequences of Israel’s restrictions on UN institutions in Palestine at a press conference in Brussels on Monday.
According to Qatar News Agency, El Anouni emphasized the EU’s stance, stating, “We believe that Israel must fully comply with the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.” The spokesperson urged Israel to respect its obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law concerning the Palestinian people living in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in the Gaza Strip.
In light of the Israeli Knesset’s preliminary approval last Wednesday of two laws that provide for the annexation of the West Bank, El Anouni reiterated the European Union’s position that it does not recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the territories it occupied after 1967, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions. He cautioned, “Annexation is a violation of international law. The steps taken in this regard violate international law.”
El Anouni also highlighted that EU sanctions against Israel remain a possibility, aimed at encouraging the occupying government to alter its policies in Gaza and the West Bank.