Pro-Palestinian demonstrators hold banners in Spanish lambasting "the genocide of the Palestinian people" and calling for a "Free Palestine" during a protest against Israeli attacks on Gaza, in front of the US Embassy, Bolivia, July 4, 2024. (AP)

Bolivia hailed the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) ruling regarding "Israel's" settlement policy and the seizure of Palestinian lands, calling on the international community to expedite efforts to end the Israeli onslaught in Gaza.

"We call on the UN system and member states to take appropriate measures to stop the crimes being committed in the Gaza Strip and guarantee Palestine's right to self-determination," the Bolivian Foreign Ministry said in a statement released on Friday, emphasizing that "Bolivia welcomes the court's ruling."

On Friday, ICJ President Nawaf Salam affirmed that "Israel's" practices and policies violate international law and that the court will examine the legal implications of "Israel's" unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The ruling specifically addressed the prolonged Israeli occupation, "Israel's" settlement policy, the annexation of Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, and the adoption of related legislation and measures that are discriminatory against Palestinians.

It further clarified that the Palestinian people, recognized under the Oslo Accords between "Israel" and the Palestine Liberation Organization, have the right to self-determination.

Bolivian leader hails recognition of Palestine as 'act of justice'

Bolivia has been an avid supporter of Palestine, more so since October 7.

In June, Bolivian President Luis Arce described the recognition of Palestine as a state by multiple countries as both a significant act of justice and a strong signal directed towards "Israel".

"I believe that this is, first of all, an act of justice. Palestine is a state that was not recognized as such, and, unfortunately, UN resolutions are not implemented. I think this is also a call for this genocide that is happening there to stop," Arce said on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), adding that this is "a serious signal for the Israeli government."

The president emphasized that the Israeli government is facing increased pressure as all countries are swiftly moving towards creating a favorable environment for Palestine, contrary to the expected outcome of the war, which is not the "disappearance" of Palestine but rather its "recognition".

This is how Bolivia has been supporting the #Palestinian cause and people since the start of the war on #Gaza.
Recently, leaders from across the world, including Latin America and #Europe, have condemned a coup attempt in #Bolivia, rallying in support of Bolivian President Luis… pic.twitter.com/ColiQWd8ov
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 28, 2024