In a letter delivered yesterday to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the World Jewish Congress (WJC) asserted the right under the court’s statute to provide critical information to help it decide fairly in an Advisory Opinion regarding Israel.
As the global voice of the Jewish people, the WJC has a unique perspective that can aid the court in making its determination, and the absence of this information could contribute to the court issuing an opinion that could be detrimental to the security of the State of Israel and Jewish communities around the world.
In the letter, Menachem Rosensaft, the WJC’s general counsel and associate executive vice president, states, “Antisemitism is once again increasing in many countries around the world, largely driven by relentless propaganda defaming Israel.” He later adds, “The court should have the benefit of more complete, accurate and representative information before issuing an opinion that could seriously impact these alarming global trends.”
The court is now considering a request from the United Nations General Assembly to give an Advisory Opinion on a matter titled “Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.” The resolution requesting the opinion (77/247) makes numerous incorrect or misleading statements and presumptions that, if left unchallenged, could lead the court to issue an opinion on the basis of deeply flawed information and premises. It is critical that the Jewish people have a voice in this proceeding, the outcome of which could affect their safety.
The question of whether the WJC is eligible to make a submission hinges on whether the court considers it an “international organization” and/or whether it considers it inherently within its jurisdiction to receive such a submission from an organization outside that definition. Today’s letter makes compelling arguments in favor of both propositions and asks for the court’s assent to receive the submission.