MALAYSIA HAILS ICJ'S LANDMARK RULING IN FAVOUR OF PALESTINE

PUTRAJAYA, July 20 (Bernama) -- Malaysia hails the landmark ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in favour of Palestine rendered through its Advisory Opinion on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, on Friday.

Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra), in a statement, said the findings of the court affirm Malaysia’s legal arguments presented by Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan during the oral submission to the court on Feb 22 this year.

“Malaysia calls on all states to compel Israel to abide by the ruling of the ICJ and immediately end their support to Israel in continuing its illegal occupation of Palestine,” the statement read.

The court by an overwhelming majority ruled that Israel’s continued occupation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful and should be ended immediately.

All new settlement activities should be ceased and all damages be compensated, it added.

“The court’s ruling upholds Palestinian legitimate right to self-determination. Further, Israel’s actions and policies contravene international law.

“Malaysia will continue to support and strongly advocate for the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, as well as the admission of Palestine as a full member of the United Nations,” the statement said. 

The court also emphasised the collective legal obligations of all states and international organisations to end the illegal occupation by Israel.