ICJ ruling provides ‘strong legal support for case against Netanyahu’
Advisory opinions carry significant legal weight, but are described as “nonbinding” as there are no direct penalties for ignoring them.
Wednesday’s World Court opinion is separate from the ongoing proceedings initiated by South Africa accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.
Last year, another Hague-based tribunal, the International Criminal Court (ICC), issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant, alleging the pair used “starvation as a method of warfare” by restricting humanitarian aid and intentionally targeted civilians – charges Israeli officials deny.
Today’s ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) noted Israel “is not to use starvation of the civilian population as a method of warfare”.
Tom Dannenbaum, a professor of law at Stanford University, said the opinion provides “strong legal support for the case against Netanyahu” at the ICC.
Trump administration condemns ICJ as ‘partisan political tool’
The US State Department has slammed the World Court for what it described as “another corrupt ruling” in its advisory opinion on Israel’s starvation policy and blockade on aid to Gaza.
It also echoed longstanding Israeli government claims that the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) is linked to Hamas – an allegation the ICJ rejected earlier as being unproven.
“This ICJ’s ongoing abuse of its advisory opinion discretion suggests that it is nothing more than a partisan political tool, which can be weaponised against Americans,” the State Department said.
Washington has long criticised the International Court of Justice for investigating Israeli violations of international law and abuses against Palestinians, with a US government lawyer arguing last year that Israel should not be ordered to end its occupation of Palestinian territory.
The US has also hit out against the International Criminal Court for seeking arrest warrants for Israeli leaders accused of committing war crimes in Gaza, imposing sanctions on ICC officials.
Another corrupt ruling by the ICJ.
As President Trump and Secretary Rubio work tirelessly to bring peace to the region, this so-called "court" issues a nakedly politicized non-binding "advisory opinion" unfairly bashes Israel and gives UNRWA a free pass for its deep…
— Department of State (@StateDept) October 22, 2025
The US still owes Nicaragua reparations according to an ICJ ruling in 1986...
