"US Stands Firm in Defense of Israel's Occupation at ICJ Hearing"

The United States has urged the International Court of Justice not to order the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Palestinian territories without security guarantees, arguing that Israel's security needs must be considered. The US's stance comes amid hearings from about 50 countries on the legal consequences of the Israeli occupation, with Egypt, Russia, and France also presenting their arguments. The US's legal arguments were criticized as serving its and Israel's negotiation strategy rather than abiding by the court's ruling, while Israel, not participating in the oral hearings, submitted a written contribution describing the questions as "prejudicial" and "tendentious."