THE HAGUE, February 19. /TASS/. The UN International Court of Justice should declare the Israeli occupation of Palestine illegal, Palestinian representative Paul Reichler said at a hearing on the legal ramifications of Israel's activity in Palestinian territories.

"The court's advisory opinion is critical and urgent," he said. "The best and perhaps last hope for a two-state solution critical to both peoples is for the court to declare illegal the primary obstacle to that solution - Israel's continued occupation of Palestine - and to rule that international law requires that these illegal activities stop completely, immediately and unconditionally," he went on to say.

"According to Reichler, it is the two-state solution that the UN Security Council, the UN General Assembly, the vast majority of states and Palestine itself seek. "This is the only solution that can lead to lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians," the expert stressed.

In December 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution requesting the UN International Court of Justice to issue an advisory opinion on the legal consequences arising from Israeli policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem. The hearings will be held on February 19 to 26. The court will listen to the interested parties and then give its opinion. In total, more than 50 countries and three international organizations will present their arguments before the court.

As Reichler noted, only two countries - the US and Fiji - are trying to defend Israel. "And this is not surprising," he emphasized. "No matter what violations of international law Israel commits, the US always props it up."

Several dozen Palestinian supporters have gotten together in front of the court building. They carry flags and signs demanding justice for Palestine while holding Israel accountable for crimes in the Gaza Strip.

The court's advisory opinion, which is not binding, is expected to be issued before the end of this year.