Fact Check: Israel illegally occupies East Jerusalem

Fact Check: "Israel illegally occupies East Jerusalem"

What We Know

The claim that "Israel illegally occupies East Jerusalem" is supported by a significant body of international legal opinion and United Nations resolutions. Since 1967, Israel has maintained control over East Jerusalem, which was captured during the Six-Day War. This occupation is widely regarded as illegal under international law, particularly due to the prohibition against acquiring territory by force, as outlined in the UN Charter. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has affirmed that Israel's presence in East Jerusalem constitutes illegal occupation, stating that the occupation has become unlawful due to its permanence and the policies of de facto annexation implemented by Israel (ICJ case).

Numerous United Nations General Assembly resolutions have condemned the Israeli occupation as illegal, emphasizing that it violates the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination (UNGA resolutions). Legal scholars have argued that the occupation regime in East Jerusalem and the broader Palestinian territories is characterized by alien subjugation, domination, and exploitation, which further underscores its illegality (Wilde's analysis).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim of illegal occupation is robust, coming from various credible sources, including international law scholars, UN bodies, and the ICJ. The ICJ's advisory opinion explicitly states that Israel's occupation of East Jerusalem is unlawful, citing violations of the Geneva Convention and the principles of international law regarding occupation. This opinion aligns with the findings of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which also concluded that the occupation is unlawful due to its permanence and the policies of annexation (Independent Commission report).

Critics of the claim often cite Israel's argument that the territories are disputed rather than occupied. However, this perspective is not widely accepted in international law, which recognizes the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and views the Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem as illegal (BBC News). The Israeli government has consistently rejected the characterization of its presence in these territories as an occupation, labeling it a matter of security and historical claim (Israel's position). However, this stance is largely viewed as a political argument rather than a legal justification.

The reliability of the sources supporting the claim is high, given that they include established legal frameworks and opinions from recognized international bodies. The UN and ICJ are authoritative sources in matters of international law, and their conclusions carry significant weight in the legal community.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that "Israel illegally occupies East Jerusalem" is substantiated by extensive legal analysis and international consensus. The occupation is characterized as illegal under international law due to the use of force for impermissible purposes, violations of the right to self-determination, and the establishment of settlements that constitute de facto annexation. The evidence from credible sources, including the ICJ and UN resolutions, supports this conclusion.