UK says it is 'considering' ICJ opinion on Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has responded to the ICJ's advisory opinion on Friday.

The ICJ found Israel's decades-long occupation of the Palestinian territories to be "unlawful", and said it should be brought to an end "as rapidly as possible."

A UK foreign office spokesperson said: "We have received the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice on Friday 19 July and are considering it carefully before responding. The UK respects the independence of the ICJ.

"The Foreign Secretary was clear on his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories earlier this week that the UK is strongly opposed to the expansion of illegal settlements and rising settler violence.

"This government is committed to a negotiated two-State solution which can deliver a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state."