Maldives at ICJ: Israel's occupation violate international law

The Maldives government has called out Israel for its gross infringement of international law.

Speaking at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the Maldivian Ambassador to Germany, Aishath Shan Shakir said that the support of the Palestinian people in realizing their independence and sovereignty has been a "long-standing cornerstone of the Maldivian foreign policy."

The Maldives government made clear of its standing at the ICJ's public hearings seeking views on the legal consequences of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories before a non-binding legal opinion is issued.

While speaking at the ICJ hearing, Shakir said the current and dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza right now is sufficient enough for the court to "pronounce its verdict" against the injustices perpretrated against the Palestinian people.

"The only sustainable solution to the conflict is the establishment of a sovereign and independent state of Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital," the Maldivian Ambassador to Germany said.

International lawyers from the Essex Court Chambers, Amy Sanders and Dr. Naomi Hart represented the Maldives at the ICJ who presented their statements regarding the questions raised at the public hearing.

In the statement provided by Sanders, she highlighted on the depravation of water resources to the Palestinian people by the occupying forces of Israel, and the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people which has been violated by Israel through multiple conducts; and as such these conducts have infringed the right to territorial integrity, right not to be subjected to demographic manipulation within the their own territory by a foreign power, the right of the people to pursue its own economic, social and cultural development, and the right to exercise permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people.

Water supply and facilities providing water to the Palestinian people are fully controlled by Israel, and continues to sell water to Gaza at a controlled manner. Following the October 7, 2023 attacks, Israel fully discontinued the supply of water to Palestine.

The Maldives, in its statement at the ICJ claimed Israel's multiple policies and its treatment of the Palestinian people is characterized as an apartheid, which has been coincided by several other nations.

Earlier in 2023, the Maldives had provided a written statement of the country's support to the Palestinian people, to ICJ.

The Maldives Attorney General's Office said participation of the Maldives at the ICJ public hearing would solidify the country's position as a staunch advocate of humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people, and highlight the Maldives government's commitment in advocating for freedom and sovereignty of Palestine at an international scale.

The office further viewed this participation would accelerate assistance provided to Palestine, while it would bolster the long-standing bilateral union between the two countries.

The AG Office also argues that the injustice faced by Palestinian people was a major issue for the entire Muslim world, and the Maldives' commitment to advocate for Palestine's right to freedom would strengthen the confidence of other Muslim nations towards the Maldives.

The ICJ legal opinion, upon request from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), would pave the way to assisting Palestine and its people achieving sovereignty.