Australia, New Zealand, Canada call for ICJ response from Israel, Gaza ceasefire
The Hindu
International leaders call on Israel to respond to ICJ ruling, condemning violence against Palestinians and urging a two-state solution.
Australia, New Zealand and Canada on Friday called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and asked Israel to respond to a United Nations court which last week ruled its occupation of Palestinian territories and settlements there were illegal.
"Israel must listen to the concerns of the international community," the leader's statement said.
Also read | ‘I will not be silent’: Kamala Harris presses Netanyahu over humanitarian situation in Gaza
"The protection of civilians is paramount and a requirement under international humanitarian law. Palestinian civilians cannot be made to pay the price of defeating Hamas. It must end."
The leaders also said Israel needed to hold extremist settlers accountable for ongoing acts of violence against Palestinians, reverse its settlement program in the West Bank and work towards a two-state solution.
Israel's embassy in Australia on Thursday said it condemned acts of violence against Palestinian communities.
Last week, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) said Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and its settlements there are illegal and should be withdrawn as soon as possible, its strongest findings to date on the Israel-Palestinian conflict.