Israel’s settlements aim to bring permanent demographic change: Belgium tells ICJ

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague has been hearing submissions from Belgium on Tuesday on the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands. 

• Belgium condemns the use of violence against the Palestinian population and wishes to highlight Israel’s obligations to put an end to violence and bring to justice the perpetrators
• Israel’s settlement policy aims to bring about a permanent alteration of the demographic composition of the Palestinian territory and the status of the Palestinian territory itself
• This policy is in violation of fundamental rules of international law: the prohibition of the acquisition of territory by force; the principle of self-determination.
• The establishment of settlements is also linked to the establishment of two different systems: one for the settlers and one for the Palestinian population
• Israel must end all settlement activity and restore all property expropriated. Third states must not recognise the situation as legal, must not render aid, and must cooperate to end violations