Top lawyer says UK should stop arming Israel after ICJ ruling

The UK should stop arming Israel to comply with the advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against the occupation of Palestinian territories, a lawyer who represented Palestine has told the Guardian.  

Prof Philippe Sands KC, a member of Palestine’s legal team for the case at the ICJ, said the ruling obliges UN member states "not to aid or assist in the maintenance of the current situation in the occupied territories". 

“That legal obligation precludes sales of military material which could be used directly or indirectly to assist Israel in maintaining its unlawful occupation of the occupied Palestinian territories," Sands said.