GENEVA, February 21, 2025 (WAFA) – The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has granted permission to the African Union to participate in advisory proceedings concerning Israel's obligations regarding the presence and activities of the United Nations, other international organizations, and third states in the occupied Palestinian territories.

According to a statement released by the court, acting President Judge Julia Sebutinde made the decision based on Article 66 of the ICJ Statute. She determined that the African Union is likely to provide valuable information regarding the question referred to the court by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). As a result, the African Union is allowed to submit a written statement on the matter by the deadline set by the court's president, which is February 28, 2025.

The UNGA had adopted a resolution on December 19, 2024, requesting the ICJ’s advisory opinion on the following question: What are Israel's obligations, as the occupying power and a member of the United Nations, concerning the presence and activities of the United Nations, including its agencies and bodies, as well as other international organizations and third states, in the occupied Palestinian territories? 

The question also seeks clarification on Israel’s obligations regarding the facilitation of essential supplies, humanitarian aid, and developmental assistance to ensure the survival and well-being of the Palestinian civilian population and to support their right to self-determination.

The request for an advisory opinion followed decisions by the Israeli Knesset that obstructed the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), particularly in occupied East Jerusalem.

Of note, the ICJ had previously permitted the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States to participate in the advisory proceedings.

M.N