Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

258. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the obligations placed upon Ireland arising from the ruling of the International Court of Justice of 19 July 2024 in the case regarding the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the related United Nations General Assembly resolution of 18 September 2024, co-sponsored by Ireland. [27332/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On 19 July 2024, the International Court of Justice delivered an Advisory Opinion on the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.

The Court’s principal conclusion was that Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory was unlawful and that it must be brought to an end as rapidly as possible. The Court also identified a range of legal obligations for all states arising from that situation. These include a duty not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the illegal situation created by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. In particular, the Court stated that all states have a duty to distinguish in dealings with Israel between its own territory and that Territory.

The ICJ’s Advisory Opinion, while not in itself legally binding, represents an authoritative statement of applicable international law, which is binding on all states and international organisations, including the EU and its Member States.

As the Deputy notes, Ireland co-sponsored a resolution, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 18 September 2024, on the implementation of the Court's Advisory Opinion. The resolution sets out in detail the legal obligations identified by the Court that arise for Israel, for all states and for international organisations arising from Israel's unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. It calls on all states to take a number of steps towards implement these obligations, including ‘steps towards ceasing the importation of any products originating in the Israeli settlements.’

My Department is continuing its follow-up to the Advisory Opinion through progressing legislation to prohibit importation of goods from the illegal settlements and through pressing for appropriate action at EU level to ensure that EU legislation and policies are fully compliant with international law. More broadly, Ireland's leadership at EU level has also encompassed its calls for a review of Israel’s compliance with Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. I welcome that such a review has now been initiated by the High Representative with the support of the majority of Member States.