6 St James Hall Senior Counsel Christopher Ward SC, assisted by 6 St James Hall Counsel Madeleine Bridget and Lucy Geddes, represented the Plurinational State of Bolivia before the International Court of Justice by way of intervention in the Advisory Opinion proceedings requested by the United Nations on the Obligations of Israel in relation to the Presence and Activities of the United Nations, Other International Organizations and Third States in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The proceedings involved the interpretation of the United Nations Charter, particularly Article 2 paragraph 5, and numerous treaties including the Fourth Geneva Convention.

The question before the International Court of Justice is:

“What are the obligations of Israel, as an occupying Power and as a member of the United Nations, in relation 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, including to ensure and facilitate the unhindered provision of urgently needed supplies essential to the survival of the Palestinian civilian population as well as of basic services and humanitarian and development assistance, for the benefit of the Palestinian civilian population, and in support of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination?”

The Court has reserved its Opinion. More information about the proceedings can be found here.