The Maldives has filed a written statement at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the ongoing advisory proceedings on Israel’s obligations concerning the presence and activities of the United Nations and other international organisations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the Attorney General’s Office has said.
The proceedings follow a request from the United Nations General Assembly, which adopted a resolution on 19 December 2024 seeking an advisory opinion from the ICJ in relation to Israel’s obligations concerning the presence and activities of the UN, other international organisations, and third states in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The case examines Israel’s responsibility “to ensure and facilitate the unhindered provision of essential supplies, basic services, and humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian civilian population.”
The Maldives’ submission focuses on Israel’s violations of international humanitarian law and human rights treaties, with particular emphasis on its responsibility to ensure access to water for the Palestinian civilian population. The statement also assesses Israel’s responsibilities as a UN member regarding the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), highlighting its breach of international law in dismantling the organisation.
The statement condemned Israel for “dismantling that vital organisation” and for its “continuous breach of international law and international humanitarian law.” It also criticised Israeli settlement expansion, the destruction of UN agencies, and the obstruction and attacks on aid workers, saying these actions “hinder the provision of basic services and the realisation of the basic rights of Palestinians.”
In the statement, the Maldives reaffirmed its support for Palestinian statehood, stating that “the only path to lasting peace” is the establishment of a Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The ICJ’s advisory opinion, while not legally binding, could have significant diplomatic and legal implications for Israel in international forums.