Fact Check: Misleading video claims International Court of Justice declared Israel an illegal state
Know the truth about viral video
Bengaluru: A video circulating widely on social media platforms, particularly in local groups, is falsely claiming that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has declared Israel an illegal state and decided that it should no longer be recognized as a sovereign nation.
The video, which shows Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al Maliki speaking, has sparked discussion and confusion online. However, the reality behind the video and its context is quite different.
The Origin of the Video:
The video in question is not new. It dates back to July 2024 and features a press briefing by Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al Maliki. In the video, Maliki describes a decision made by the ICJ as a "watershed moment for Palestine, for justice, and for international law." The video has now been repurposed with misleading claims that the ICJ has declared Israel an illegal state and that justice has prevailed for Palestine.
What the ICJ Actually Said:
The ICJ's decision in July 2024 did not declare Israel an illegal state or call for it to be unrecognized as a sovereign nation. Instead, the court's opinion focused on Israel's presence in the Palestinian-occupied territories.
The ICJ ruled that Israel's occupation of these territories is "unlawful" under international law and called for an immediate end to settlement construction, as well as the removal of existing settlements.
The court cited numerous Israeli policies as violations of international law, including the expansion of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, the exploitation of natural resources in these areas, and discriminatory practices against Palestinians. The ICJ stated that Israel has no right to sovereignty over these territories, which it occupied 57 years ago, and that its actions are impeding Palestinians' right to self-determination.
The Broader Context:
The ICJ's opinion was requested by the United Nations General Assembly following a Palestinian request and came in the context of escalating violence in the region. The decision coincided with Israel's military operations in Gaza, which had been triggered by Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel in October 2024.
In his briefing, Maliki emphasized that other nations have a responsibility to uphold the ICJ's findings, stating that no actions should be taken to support Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories. He called for the international community to recognize the obligations outlined by the court and act accordingly.
Israel's Response:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had then condemned the ICJ's opinion, which, while nonbinding, carries significant weight in international law. Netanyahu argued that the territories in question are part of the historic homeland of the Jewish people and dismissed the court's findings as biased. D
Misleading Claims and Their Impact:
The video being circulated with false claims about Israel's status has the potential to mislead and inflame tensions. The ICJ's ruling was a legal opinion focused on specific actions taken by Israel in the occupied territories, not a blanket declaration on Israel's sovereignty or its status as a state. It is essential for viewers to be aware of the context and content of the ICJ's decision to avoid being misled by altered or misrepresented videos.
While the ICJ did issue a critical opinion regarding Israel's actions in the occupied Palestinian territories, it did not declare Israel an illegal state or call for its international derecognition. The video being circulated with these claims is misleading and does not accurately reflect the court's decision.
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UDF leaders see local body poll trends as pointer to 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Buoyed by the strong performance of the Congress-led UDF in the local body polls, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said on Saturday that the front's results indicated the people had rejected the LDF government.
According to early trends, the UDF was leading in more grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.
The local body polls were held in two phases in the state earlier this week.
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Speaking to reporters here, Joseph said the people of Kerala had extended their support to the UDF.
"We could expose the LDF government’s anti-people stance and the people understood it. The LDF’s fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory," he said.
He said a united effort, proper preparations, good candidate selection and hard work had resulted in the Congress and the UDF’s victory in the elections.
Asked about the prospects in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Joseph said the party was studying the matter and would comment later.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said the results would be closely examined.
According to him, the government had done everything possible for the people.
"Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People’s opinion will be considered and further steps will be taken," he said.
He added that decisions would be taken after analysing the results. "If any corrective measures are required, we will initiate them and move forward," he said.
AICC leader K C Venugopal said the results showed that people had begun ousting those who, he alleged, were responsible for the loss of gold at Lord Ayyappa’s temple.
"This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government," he said.
Venugopal said the UDF had registered victories even in CPI(M) and LDF strongholds.
"I congratulate all UDF workers for their hard work. Congress workers and leaders worked unitedly," he said.
Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.
"I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further," he said.
He said the results indicated a strong comeback for the UDF in Kerala.
Asked whether the Sabarimala gold loss issue had affected the LDF in the local polls, Venugopal said the CM and the CPI(M) state secretary did not take the issue seriously.
"We took a strong stand on the matter. The BJP played a foul game in it," he alleged.
On the BJP's role in the local body elections, Venugopal alleged that the party operated with the CPI(M) 's tacit support.
"The CPI(M) supported the central government on issues such as PM-SHRI, labour codes and corruption in national highway construction. The CPI(M) is facing ideological decline, and the state government’s policies are against the party’s own decisions," he said.
Meanwhile, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani said the party could not win all the wards it had expected in the elections.
He congratulated winners from all parties and said the party would closely examine the losses and identify shortcomings. "Later, we will take corrective measures," he added.
Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said the trends in the local body elections indicated that the UDF would return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections.
"We will win 111 seats as in 1977 and return to power in 2026. The anti-government sentiment of the people is reflected in the elections," he said.
Unnithan said the people were disturbed and unhappy with the present government.
"The trend indicates the end of the LDF government," he added.
CPI(M) MLA M M Mani said the people had shown ingratitude towards the LDF despite benefiting from welfare schemes.
"After receiving all welfare schemes and living comfortably, people voted against us due to some temporary sentiments. Is that not ingratitude," he asked.
Mani said no such welfare initiatives had taken place in Kerala earlier.
"People are receiving pensions and have enough to eat. Even after getting all this, they voted against us. This is what can be called ingratitude," he said.
Muslim League state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the results were beyond expectations.
"The outcome points towards the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, indicating that a change of government is imminent. We are going to win the Assembly election," he said.
