Türkiye urges top UN court to 'hold Israel accountable for violations'

Türkiye has made a plea to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to hold Israel accountable for what it deems as violations of human rights and international law in the occupied Palestinian territories.

In an oral presentation delivered by Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmet Yıldız, Türkiye asserted that Israel must face consequences for its actions, which it says are "detrimental to the well-being of the Palestinian people and the stability of the region."

The submission to the ICJ comes in response to a request from the United Nations for an "advisory opinion" on the "legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem."

During the ongoing week of hearings at the ICJ, a record 52 countries are offering their perspectives on Israel's actions.

In his speech, Yıldız lamented what he described as the "collapse of the rule-based international system," attributing it to injustices suffered by the Palestinian people.

The deputy minister emphasized the importance of protecting holy sites, accusing Israel of attempting to alter their status and preventing Muslim worshipers from accessing them through the presence of Israeli settlers.

"Israel must be held accountable for all actions that violate human rights and international law," he remarked.

He further condemned Israeli attacks on civilians, characterizing them as "collective punishment" and reaffirmed Ankara's support for the two-state solution. Yıldız advocated for the establishment of a Palestinian state with borders delineated as per the 1967 lines, with east Jerusalem designated as its capital.

"Israel's unilateral actions and disregard for U.N. resolutions have undermined the...