US warns ICJ ruling on Israeli presence in West Bank, East Jerusalem will ‘complicate’ peace efforts

The United States criticizes “the breadth” of the top UN court’s opinion in which the International Court of Justice said Israel’s presence and control of the West Bank and East Jerusalem is illegal, with Washington saying it will complicate efforts to resolve the conflict.

“We have been clear that Israel’s program of government support for settlements is both inconsistent with international law and obstructs the cause of peace,” a US State Department spokesperson says.

“However, we are concerned that the breadth of the court’s opinion will complicate efforts to resolve the conflict and bring about an urgently needed just and lasting peace, with two states living side-by-side in peace and security,” the State Department adds.

“Moreover, the court’s advice that Israel must withdraw ‘as rapidly as possible’ is inconsistent with the established framework for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” the statement continues.

“That framework takes into account Israel’s security needs. The events of October 7 proved those security concerns are very real.”