United Nations’ top court International Court of Justice (ICJ) has said that Israel’s presence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is illegal. The ICJ also ruled that Israel’s settlement policy in the West Bank and Gaza is unlawful and advised Tel Aviv to cease immediately all settlement activities and evacuate all settlers present in the occupied territories.

The advisory opinion was the first time the ICJ has expressed its view on the legality of Israel’s presence in territories it captured in the 1967 war. According to the ICJ, an advisory opinion is not legally binding but carries moral authority and can shape international law. UN top court’s opinion prompted condemnation from Israeli leaders and praise from Palestinian officials.