Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 18
18
Rejected
Issue formal response to ICJ opinion on Israel's policies in Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Recommendation
We urge the Government to issue a formal response to the ICJ’s opinion concerning Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, setting out how it is complying with the obligations on the UK as a third party. (Recommendation, Paragraph 41)
Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation, stating that consistent with long-standing policy, it does not consider the ICJ to have jurisdiction in this contentious case between Israel and Palestine. It maintains that a lasting peace requires a negotiated settlement between the parties.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
Reject. The UK respects the independence of the ICJ but, consistent with the long-standing approach of successive UK governments, does not consider that the ICJ has jurisdiction in this contentious case between Israel and Palestine. The Court has acknowledged that Israel and Palestine have not consented to the exercise of judicial power by the Court in this dispute. Where the UK has taken a position on the advisory opinion, we have done so carefully and in line with our legal advice, which has been consistent throughout. The UK’s position remains that a lasting peace can only be achieved through a negotiated settlement between the parties.