Whatever its limitations, Mike Macnair welcomes the ruling of the International Court of Justice. It helps undermine the ‘anti-Zionism equals anti-Semitism’ big lie
The International Court of Justice (ICJ), established in 1945 by the UN Charter, serves as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Comprising 15 judges elected by the UN General Assembly and Security Council, it addresses legal disputes between states and provides advisory opinions. Rooted in the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the ICJ replaced the Permanent Court of International Justice in 1946. Judges, elected for nine-year terms, represent diverse legal systems. The ICJ exercises contentious jurisdiction through special agreements, treaties, optional clauses, and forum prorogatum, while advisory opinions cater to UN entities. Despite recent proceedings on the Israel-Palestine dispute, the ICJ's influence remains constrained, relying on states' compliance and lacking direct enforcement mechanisms.