PRESS RELEASE – September 18, 2025, Paris
One year after the ICJ advisory opinion and the UN General Assembly resolution: the end of The occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory was supposed to take place today. A year ago, the UN General Assembly adopted the ES-10/24 resolution following the ICJ advisory opinion on the consequences of the prolonged occupation of the Palestinian Territory occupied by Israel describing the Israeli occupation as an "illegal presence" that must end "in the most "short timeframes.". The General Assembly then set a deadline of twelve months (leading to September 18, 2025) for this occupation to end, recalling the obligation of all States to cooperate in order to put an end to it, in accordance with international law.
Twelve months later, the inaction of the international community is undeniable.
Currently, there are no European sanctions despite individual initiatives by Spain, Slovenia, Ireland, and Belgium. These initiatives represent a step forward but remain limited and without impact at the EU level.
There Partial suspension of preferential tariffs for Israeli products The proposal put forward by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs on September 17 is presented merely as a measure to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza and still requires qualified majority approval from EU member states. Yet, the ICJ and the UN have clearly condemned serious, repeated, and ongoing violations of international law both in Gaza and throughout the occupied Palestinian territory. focus Focusing solely on the "humanitarian" dimension obscures the fundamental issue. : there responsibility international relations linked to the continued occupation and the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
One year later, when the deadline has passed, Progress has been minimal. despite the clarity of the ICJ's conclusions and no large-scale European measures have been adopted for to exert sufficient pressure on the Israeli government and end the occupation. It is urgent that EU member states and the international community assume their responsibilities.
View the full document