The United Nations’ top court on Monday was hearing a final day of arguments on the legality of Israel’s decades-long occupation of Palestinian territories, hearings that have added pressure to Israel at a time when attention focuses on the war in Gaza.
The hearings, which began last Monday, are the first time that the court, the International Court of Justice, has been asked to give an advisory opinion on the issue, which has been the subject of years of debates and resolutions at the United Nations.
The court is likely to take months before issuing an opinion.
The representatives, including a team of prominent lawyers, said that Israel has abused Palestinian rights with impunity.
The Palestinian Authority’s foreign minister, Riyad al-Maliki, said that Israel had subjected Palestinians to decades of discrimination, leaving them with the choice of “displacement, subjugation or death.”
Persons:
Israel, Riyad al, ”
Organizations:
United Nations ’, International Court of Justice, United Nations, West Bank
Locations:
Israel, Gaza, The Hague, East Jerusalem, Palestinian