Israeli settlements: What does the ICJ ruling require Britain and other states do?

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in July 2024 that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory is unlawful. In a speech by UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, it was announced that the UK government now considers the occupation unlawful and has taken measures in line with the ICJ's advisory opinion from the previous year.

The ICJ found that Israel's settlement policy and the presence of Israeli settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem violate international law. The court also demanded that Israel stop all settlement expansion, remove settlers, and make reparations for the damage caused. Furthermore, the ICJ ruled that other states should not recognize the occupation as legal and should not assist in maintaining it, including refraining from economic or trade dealings that support Israeli settlements.

This ruling carries significant implications for the UK and other countries in terms of sanctions on Israeli settlements and potential trade restrictions.