The ruling is not binding, but it is clear the
state of Israel's continued presence in the occupied territory is
unlawful.
The UN's top court found Israel has no right to
control Palestinian territories it captured more than 50 years ago,
the West Bank and E Jerusalem, no right to build
Jewish settlements there.
The settlements have been expanding at a record pace, pushed
by key Israeli cabinet ministers, fervent settlers themselves who want
to annex the territories.
That and tensions after the October 7th attacks by Hamas
has stoked violent confrontations.
Settlers attacking neighboring villages, Palestinians killed The court says soldiers
and settlers have to evacuate immediately, a ruling cheered by
Palestinians.
This means Israel is under an obligation to end this
illegal colonial enterprise unconditionally, and in our view, that means
immediately and totally.
Israel, whose parliament overwhelmingly rejected Palestinian statehood this week, calls
the ruling absurd.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posting that the Jewish people are
not occupiers in their own land, our ancestral home.
I think it's a bombshell.
The ruling directs other countries to treat Israel's occupation as
illegal.
I don't think Israel will be able to ignore it
because I don't.
I think the majority of the member states of the
United Nations will not ignore it.
They will look at it as guidance.
Settler violence has already prompted Canada, the US and European
countries to sanction extremists and push Israel harder for a
Palestinian state.
The World Court just gave legal justification.
Sasha Petrusik, CBC News, Toronto.