Rejects Request for Advisory Opinion Against Israel

B’nai B’rith International, B’nai Brith Canada and the B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem have jointly submitted a brief to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) with arguments why the court should refuse to engage with the outrageous request for an advisory opinion against Israel that was referred to it by the U.N. General Assembly in December 2022.

Amongst other issues that hamper the credibility of this case, the General Assembly’s referral resolution was heavily biased, presenting political opinions as facts and asking the ICJ to confirm those opinions. A minority of all U.N. member states, many of them autocracies that refuse to recognize the State of Israel, approved that resolution.

A court decision to go forward with this case would be seen as a strikingly political decision, not a limited judicial one, which would do grave damage to the reputation of the court.

We have sent the submission to be kept on file at the Peace Palace in The Hague where it can be reviewed by member states, which can reference it in their own submissions in the official records of the case. We call on the U.N. member states that voted against the GA resolution to submit to the court their own positions on why this case should not fall under ICJ jurisdiction and would be inappropriate for the ICJ to continue to move forward.

The brief was prepared by B’nai B’rith International Honorary President Richard D. Heideman and Joseph Tipograph of Heideman Nudelman & Kalik, PC, and B’nai Brith Canada Senior Honorary Counsel David Matas. 

Read the full brief here.

Read the Executive Summary here.

B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org.