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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New Delhi: Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi became a trending topic on social media platform 'X' following the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, which was announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. The ceasefire, mediated by the United States, drew sharp criticism from the opposition, particularly the Congress party, which accused the central government of "succumbing" to foreign pressure.
The Congress and its leaders took to 'X' to draw parallels between the current situation and the 1971 India-Pakistan war under Indira Gandhi’s leadership. The official handles of the Congress and Kerala Congress posted images of the former prime minister with captions praising her courage and strength. "Indira Gandhi. COURAGE | CONVICTION | STRENGTH," read a post from the Congress’s main handle, while party leader Supriya Shrinate added, “It is not easy to be Indira Gandhi.”
Kerala Congress official 'X' handle also shared a post of former PM Indira Gandhi addressing media in the US, where she is heard saying, " It is not the task of any one country to say to another what they should do, even if it is a question of helping."
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh called for an all-party meeting and a special Parliament session to discuss recent developments, including the terror attacks in Pahalgam and the path ahead. He also posted a letter written by Indira Gandhi to then U.S. President Richard Nixon in 1971, asserting that there was no "neutral site" in her time as there is now. “She ensured that there was no ‘neutral site’ which has now been agreed to,” he wrote.
Congress MP Manish Tewari remarked that the U.S. was openly highlighting its mediation role, calling it “third party mediation.” He noted that the agreement involved not just a ceasefire but also talks at a neutral venue, which he said was being portrayed as diplomatic intervention.
Former Youth Congress president Srinivas B.V. criticized the current regime for yielding to external pressure, contrasting it with Indira Gandhi’s defiance in 1971 despite U.S. threats. “Indira Gandhi neither stopped nor bowed down, nor got scared,” he wrote, recalling her role in the creation of Bangladesh.
The Left also expressed concerns over American involvement. CPIML general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya questioned why India under Prime Minister Modi had to rely on “a long night of American mediation” for a ceasefire. He urged both countries to de-escalate and restore diplomatic relations while bringing the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack to justice.
The Congress further posted excerpts from Indira Gandhi’s 1971 letter to Nixon: “We have our backbones straight, enough will & resources to fight all atrocities... That was courage, that was standing up for India, that was not compromising with the nation’s pride.”
Another X user, @srivatsayb, tweeted, “Today every Indian will understand.”
"But the fact remains: there has only been one #IndiraGandhi. India’s MOST powerful Prime Minister," wrote TMC MP, Sagarika Ghose.
Another user, @CheKrishnaCk, wrote, “Everyone cannot be Indira Gandhi.”
Everyone can not be Indira Gandhi. #ceasefire pic.twitter.com/N4lsegIrB9
— 👑Che_Krishna🇮🇳💛❤️ (@CheKrishnaCk_) May 10, 2025
But the fact remains : there has only been one #IndiraGandhi . India’s MOST powerful Prime Minister pic.twitter.com/3yxCIxy8Z8
— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) May 10, 2025
अमेरिका ने इंदिरा गांधी पर भी दबाव बनाया था, धमकी दी गई, चेतावनी दी गई कि अगर भारत ने कदम बढ़ाया तो अंजाम भुगतने होंगे।
— Srinivas BV (@srinivasiyc) May 10, 2025
लेकिन इंदिरा गांधी न रुकीं, न झुकीं, न डरीं।
उन्होंने पूरी दुनिया को दिखा दिया कि भारत की सरहदों और सम्मान की रक्षा किसी भी अंतरराष्ट्रीय दबाव से ऊपर है।…
The United States is making no bones about it’s role . It is rubbing it in
— Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) May 10, 2025
It is also interesting that in the statement below the ceasefire is hyphenated with talks at a Neutral venue on a broad set of issues.
Call it by whatever name you want this is third party mediation… pic.twitter.com/XDHBRjmPQs
This is Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's historic letter to President Nixon of Dec 12, 1971. Four days later Pakistan surrendered.
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 10, 2025
She ensured that there was no "neutral site" which has now been agreed to. pic.twitter.com/Fvvcmn6VkZ
There was a reason why Indira Gandhi was known as Iron Lady. pic.twitter.com/kTNTByKmZR
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) May 10, 2025
Indira Gandhi
— Congress (@INCIndia) May 10, 2025
COURAGE | CONVICTION | STRENGTH pic.twitter.com/tNkNKVjVv6
In view of the unprecedented announcements from Washington DC, there is now a need, more than ever before, for -
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 10, 2025
1. The PM to chair an all-party meeting and take political parties into confidence
2. A special session of Parliament to discuss the events of the last eighteen…