US tells ICJ it can't order Israel to immediately end occupation of Palestine

The United States on Wednesday told the International Court of Justice that it could not order the immediate withdrawal of Israeli troops from the occupied territories without taking into account Israel's security needs. 

"Any movement towards Israel's withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza requires consideration for Israel's very real security needs," Richard Visek, acting legal adviser at the US State Department, said during proceedings at the UN's highest court, which is examining the legality of Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories.

There are more than 700,000 illegal Israeli settlers in the West Bank. They are not Israeli forces but continue to build illegal houses.