The International Court of Justice last night authorized the African Union, at its request, to participate in advisory proceedings on Israel's obligations regarding attendance at activities of the United Nations, other international organizations and third States in the occupied Palestinian territory.

According to a statement from the Court, and based on Article (66) of the Statute of the Court, the Acting President of the Court, Judge Julia Sebutinde, decided that the African Union is likely to be able to provide information on the question submitted to the Court by the General Assembly and therefore “the African Union may submit a written statement on this matter within the time limit set by the President’s order, i.e. by 28 February.”

On 19 December 2017, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution requesting an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the following question: What are the obligations of Israel, as the occupying Power and a Member of the United Nations, with regard to the presence and activities of the United Nations, including its agencies and bodies, other international organizations and third States, in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, for the purposes, inter alia, of ensuring and facilitating the delivery of supplies essential to the survival of the Palestinian civilian population, basic services, humanitarian and development assistance, for the benefit of the Palestinian civilian population and in support of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination?

The decision came after the Israeli Knesset issued decisions that hindered the work of UNRWA in Palestine, especially in occupied Jerusalem.

It is noteworthy that the court had also authorized the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States to participate in the advisory procedures.