German FM urges Israeli Occupation to take ICJ report seriously

Germany spoke out against Israeli Occupation policies following a significant ruling by the UN Court affirming Palestinians' right to self-determination and demanding the evacuation of Israeli Occupation settlements in the occupied territories.

Deputy Foreign Ministry spokesman Christian Wagner emphasized during a press conference on Monday that Germany's historical responsibility towards “Israel” does not equate to endorsement of its occupation policy. 

"It is primarily up to the Israeli government to draw conclusions from this UN Court report," Wagner stated.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock echoed this sentiment, urging “Israel” to take the UN legal report seriously. 

Speaking on the sidelines of an EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, Baerbock described the report as "groundbreaking" and underscored the responsibility of the international community in pursuing a two-state solution. 

"Even if this report is not binding, the Israeli government would be well advised to take this report seriously," she said.

Deputy government spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann also commented on the report, aligning it with Germany's long-held positions on the issue. She acknowledged that while the ICJ report is non-binding, it holds significant international relevance.

The International Court of Justice's (ICJ) advisory opinion, delivered on Friday in The Hague, affirmed the status of the Occupied Palestinian Territories as a "single territorial unit" that must be protected.