Third State Economic Responsibility in light of the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem

The study, authored by several experts including Kinda Muhamadieh, Lara Elborno, Tara Van Ho, and Shahd Hammouri, with research contributions from Anisha Patel, Henriette Willberg, and others, outlines the concrete consequences of the ICJ Advisory Opinion, which reaffirmed Israel’s violations of fundamental principles of international law. The Court reiterated that third states have a duty to not recognise, not support, and bring an end to this unlawful situation. This research provides a concise legal framework, drawing on international law, historical precedents and economic analysis, and is intended as a policy tool for governments, legal professionals and civil society organizations working towards decolonisation and economic justice.

For decades, international discussions around Israel’s occupation have centered on political negotiations and human rights violations. The concept of Third State Economic Responsibility broadens this focus to include economic and legal accountability, offering a practical and legally-grounded framework for organisations, activists and policymakers to hold states accountable and to ensure compliance with international law.