Foreign minister leads delegation presenting oral argument on Israeli violations to ICJ

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi will lead on Thursday the Jordanian delegation presenting the oral arguments of Jordan before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague on Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.

The oral argument is related to the advisory opinion requested by the United Nations General Assembly under Resolution No. 247/77, issued on December 30, 2022.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Sufian Qudah said that the Jordanian delegation includes, Safadi, Justice Minister Ahmed Ziadat and the legal team contracted by the Kingdom for this purpose, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Qudah emphasised that Jordan had submitted a written opinion of trail before ICJ on July 24, 2023, in which Jordan affirmed absolute support for the Palestinians' right to determine their destiny, and establish their independent and sovereign state on the pre-1967 borders with occupied Jerusalem as its capital.

Jordan's move is line with the Arab Peace Intitaive, relevant UN resolutions, and on the basis of the two-state solution, which represents the only formula to achieve a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace, he said.

 Qudah also noted that Jordanian written plea underlines the need for Israel to respect the historical and legal status of Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites, for which Jordan bears great responsibility under its historical Hashemite custodianship.

Qudah said that this is not the first time Jordan defends Palestinians before The Hague-based court. "In 2004, Jordan presented its argument before the court concerning the advisory opinion requested by the UN General Assembly on the legal consequences of the construction of the separation wall in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem".