Borrell and EU ministers set to discuss consequences of ICJ’s advisory opinion on the ‘unlawful’ Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories

GAZA: The European Union's High Representative Josep Borrell said today that the foreign ministers of the EU countries are set to discuss during their meeting in Brussels following the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) advisory opinion on the 'unlawful' Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories. Borrell said ICJ's advisory opinion must be terminated immediately. He said in a statement before the start of the meeting of EU foreign ministers in the Belgian capital, Brussels, that 'the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, which clearly expresses the supported position of the EU that the occupation of the Palestinian territories and the West Bank is completely illegal and must be ended." Borrell affirmed, "Although this was an advisory opinion from International Justice, it came from the highest legal body in the United Nations. Borrell commented on the Israeli Prime Minister and his government's rejection of the advisory opinion of international justice, saying: 'The answer ca me from the Netanyahu government, and they said, No, this is our land, and there are historical reasons. Borrell added," I say: You can interpret history however you want, but we are talking about international law.' Borrell pointed out that the ministers will discuss in their meeting the consequences of the advisory opinion of international justice and the steps that the European Union will take. 'I will discuss again what we can do other than talking, and that we support the International Court of Justice and ask the Israelis not to continue building colonies.' Borrell stressed that what is happening in Gaza is a man-made humanitarian catastrophe that has reached unbearable proportions, saying: 'There are 17,000 orphans, and nearly 40,000 people have been killed. He added, "In order to rebuild Gaza, 10 years are needed to remove the rubble." The International Court of Justice said that "the continued presence of the State of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory is illegal," stressing that the Pa lestinians have the "right to self-determination," and that "the Israeli colonies existing on the occupied territories must be evacuated." Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA