Representatives from the African Union (AU) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) presented compelling arguments at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories.

During the concluding session of the ICJ hearing, both AU and OIC lawyers emphasized Israel’s violation of international law by obstructing Palestinians’ right to self-determination.
They highlighted Israel’s deliberate attempts to change the demographic makeup of the occupied West Bank through the establishment of Israeli settlements, making it difficult for Palestinians to exercise their rights.

Quoting Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the OIC lawyers pointed out a stated policy to increase settlements in the West Bank, aiming for one million settlers, up from approximately 700,000 currently.

The lawyers urged the ICJ to declare Israel’s occupation illegal and call for its withdrawal from the occupied territories.