The United States representative at the International Court of Justice, Richard Vizik, said that there is broad international support for a solution that leads to the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.
Vizik pointed out that there are difficult choices in order to achieve actual security and peace, and stressed that “ending the current tragic conditions will not be achieved except by implementing the UN Security Council resolutions, although the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza is linked to ending the violence,” as he put it.
He added: "Israel cannot be asked to withdraw without ensuring security. Israel cannot withdraw immediately from the Palestinian territories, and international law does not set a time frame for the occupation."
The representative of the United States before the International Court of Justice added that "his country does not say that there is no role for the International Court in expressing its advisory opinion on the issue of Israeli practices in the Palestinian territories," calling on the court "not to accept the proposal of some to consider the actions of only one party."
He explained that his country "has repeatedly expressed its rejection of any unilateral attempt to change the existing status of territories by force anywhere in the world."
The International Court of Justice held the third day of public hearings on the legal consequences of Israeli practices in the Palestinian territories.
The international justice sessions come as part of a week-long process in which representatives from 52 countries present oral arguments on the legal consequences of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Yesterday, Tuesday, the United States again vetoed an Algerian draft resolution in the UN Security Council demanding an immediate ceasefire for humanitarian reasons in the Gaza Strip.
Thirteen members of the United Nations Security Council voted in favor of the resolution, the United States was against it, while only Britain abstained from voting.
The draft resolution calls for "an immediate ceasefire on humanitarian grounds that must be respected by all parties." It also guarantees the demand for the immediate release of all detainees without any preconditions. The document called for the full implementation of Resolutions 2712 and 2720 adopted on October 7, 2023 regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Trump uses skyscrapers to get rid of his fines
After former US President Donald Trump launches a sneaker line to pay off $355 million in a civil fraud case, all eyes are on his most valuable assets: skyscrapers.
The New York Post said that Trump's most valuable, albeit unknown, asset in New York City is the 1290 Sixth Avenue Tower, an office building in which he has a negative 30% interest.
The tower on West 52nd Street is 70% owned by Vornado Realty Trust, headed by Trump friend Steven Roth. Although Trump's name does not appear anywhere on the building, his minority ownership could prove to be his salvation. All he has to do is sell it.
“It would be ironic if Donald escaped (his debts) with a building that does not bear his name,” said one major Manhattan landlord.
Judge Arthur Engoron put Trump in a deep dilemma, as he must pay the money, which amounts to more than $450 million with interest, before he can appeal the ruling.
“His portion of 1290 Sixth may be worth $600 million before debt,” Steven Siegel, who brokered several Trump transactions including Gucci’s lease in Trump Tower, told the New York Post.
Siegel estimated the value of the 2.1 million square foot tower, which is more than 98% leased, at about $900 per square foot.
The most recent big deal was a 175,000-square-foot lease to law firm King & Spalding.
Informative
ReplyDelete