Minister Sugiono Accuses Israel of Violating International Law at ICJ

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Jumat, 2 Mei 2025 - 16:16 WIB

Netherlands, VIVA – Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Sugiono, stated that Israel has failed to uphold international law in its ongoing war in Palestine.

“Israel is not fulfilling its international obligations as a member of the United Nations (UN) and as an Occupying Power. This constitutes a grave violation of international law,” said Minister Sugiono at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands, on Wednesday (Apr 30).

“Israel’s refusal to comply with its legal duties has prevented the Palestinian people from exercising their right to self-determination,” minister Sugiono continued.

He went on to say that Israel’s persistent violations and unwillingness to comply with international law raise serious questions about its eligibility to be regarded as a 'peace-loving' nation—a requirement for UN membership under Article 4(1) of the UN Charter.

His remarks were delivered during the ICJ hearing on the Advisory Opinion concerning Israel’s legal obligations toward the United Nations, international organizations, and third states in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

“The ICJ’s Advisory Opinion will provide much-needed guidance to the international community in resolving the Palestinian issue, including addressing one of the greatest humanitarian disasters of this century,” the minister added.

For context, the UN General Assembly, through Resolution No. 79/232, formally requested the ICJ to issue the opinion following the protracted crisis in Palestine since October 7, 2023.

In response, the ICJ invited UN member states and international organizations to submit their inputs as part of the legal process.

This is the third time the UN General Assembly has requested an Advisory Opinion from the ICJ regarding the Palestine situation.

In its most recent opinion issued on July 19, 2024, the ICJ ruled that Israel’s continued occupation of Palestinian territory violates international law and that Israel must immediately end its occupation.

As of April 30, 39 countries including Indonesia, and four international organizations, have registered to deliver oral statements before the ICJ.

The current request for an Advisory Opinion is expected to specifically outline Israel’s obligations as a UN member and Occupying Power, including the obligation to respect and facilitate humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people.

In his ICJ statement, Minister Sugiono reaffirmed Indonesia’s position, which had also been submitted in writing. The key points of Indonesia’s position include:

• Israel, as a UN member and the Occupying Power in Palestine, has legal obligations under international law—including humanitarian law and international human rights law—the UN Charter, ICJ rulings, and Security Council resolutions.

• These obligations include respecting the work of the UN, especially UN agencies providing humanitarian aid such as UNRWA, and facilitating humanitarian assistance from the UN and third states to the people of Gaza.

“I want to emphasize that Israel is obliged to respect the UN, including UNRWA, the UN agency responsible for delivering humanitarian aid,” Minister Sugiono asserted.