Long-circulating false claims have emerged online, suggesting that the UN’s highest court has declared Israel an illegal state. These claims have resurfaced in various social media posts, which include a video of former Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki stating that Israel’s occupation of Palestine has been deemed unlawful by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The posts present this information as breaking news and assert that Israel should not be recognized as a sovereign nation. However, these claims are not only false but also old, as there have been no recent decisions from the court to support them. Al-Maliki’s speech was delivered in response to a previous non-binding ICJ decision that criticized Israel’s actions in the Palestinian territories but did not declare Israel an illegal state.
The ICJ’s previous ruling referenced in the circulating video labeled Israel’s presence in the Palestinian occupied territories as “unlawful,” calling for an immediate halt to the construction of settlements while condemning Israel’s control over the lands taken in the Six-Day War of 1967. Despite this ruling, the court did not declare Israel an illegal nation nor order other countries to refrain from recognizing it as a sovereign state. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the ruling, asserting that the West Bank and East Jerusalem are part of the Jewish people’s historical homeland, and emphasizing that the territories are disputed lands whose fate should be determined through negotiations.
Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip in the Six-Day War, with the Palestinians seeking to establish an independent state in these areas. However, Israel views the West Bank as disputed territory and has constructed settlements in the region to solidify its control. According to Peace Now, over 100 settlements have been built in the West Bank, with the settler population growing by more than 15% in recent years to reach around 500,000 Israelis. Additionally, about 200,000 Israelis reside in East Jerusalem, which Israel considers part of its capital. Palestinians in East Jerusalem face discrimination that hinders their ability to expand their homes and communities. The international community generally regards all three areas as occupied territories.
It is crucial to note that the false claims regarding the ICJ’s declaration of Israel as an illegal state are inaccurate and lack credibility. These claims have been circulating online for some time, despite there being no recent decisions from the court to support them. The conflict between Israel and the Palestinians over the disputed territories remains unresolved, with differing views on the status of the regions and the approach to achieving peace. Misinformation and false claims can further complicate the situation and hinder efforts to address the longstanding issues at hand. It is important to seek accurate and reliable information when discussing complex geopolitical matters to avoid spreading misinformation and promoting a deeper understanding of the challenges involved.
