An independent international commission of inquiry said that all states and international organizations, including the United Nations, "are obligated to end the illegal Israeli presence in the occupied Palestinian territory."

This came in a statement issued today, Friday, by the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry into crimes committed in the occupied Palestinian territory.

The committee explained that the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legal consequences of Israeli policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territory states that "Israel's presence there is inconsistent with international law."

The head of the committee, Navi Pillay, stressed in the statement that the main cause of the long-standing conflict and cycles of violence is the "Israeli occupation."

She added that the committee concluded in its report submitted to the United Nations General Assembly in 2022 that "the occupation is in violation of international law."

She stressed that all states are obligated not to recognize Israel's territorial claims or sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory.

She added that countries should not support Israel's continued occupation of Palestinian land, nor should they recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital or move their diplomatic representatives to Jerusalem.