Archbishop of Canterbury welcomes ICJ's Advisory Opinion on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories

Lambeth Palace Image ICN/JS

Source: Lambeth Palace

In a statement today welcoming the International Court of Justice's Advisory Opinion on Israel's presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the Archbishop of Canterbury has urged governments around the world to reverse the "deeply damaging trend" of upholding international law "in a selective manner".

Archbishop Justin Welby says the State of Israel has been "denying the Palestinian people dignity, freedom and hope" - and that ending its occupation of Palestinian territory is "a legal and moral necessity".

Read the full statement by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby:

The Advisory Opinion by the International Court of Justice (19 July 2024) makes definitively clear that Israel's presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is unlawful and needs to end as rapidly as possible.

At a time when the world is marked by increasing violations of international law - and commitment to a rules-based system is in question - it is imperative that governments around the world reaffirm their unwavering commitment to all decisions by the International Court of Justice, irrespective of the situation. International law protects our shared humanity, and safeguards human dignity and flourishing. To resist a world where actions such as torture, hostage-taking and indiscriminate violence become the norm, we must apply the law without fear or favour in all circumstances. But for too long it has been applied and upheld in a selective manner that threatens our common peace and security. Now is the time to reverse that deeply damaging trend.

Having visited our Palestinian Christian brothers and sisters many times over recent decades, it is clear to me that the regime imposed by successive Israeli governments in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is one of systemic discrimination. Through annexing Palestinian land for illegal settlements, depriving Palestinians access to their own natural resources, and imposing a system of military rule that denies them safety and justice, the State of Israel has been denying the Palestinian people dignity, freedom and hope. I am particularly aware of how this is impacting Palestinian Christians, threatening their future and viability. It is clear that ending the occupation is a legal and moral necessity.

I pray that all UN member states respond positively to this Advisory Opinion by ensuring their individual and common actions are consistent with it - and pave the way for the realisation of the Palestinian people's fundamental right to self-determination.