China Said Palestinians Using Armed Force To Resist Israel’s Occupation Is Not “Terrorism” At The ICJ

China’s representative has told the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that Palestinians have a right to use force to resist Israel’s prolonged occupation and oppression.

Six days of hearings are scheduled at the ICJ, the world’s top court, in the Hague in the Netherlands, where 52 countries and three organizations are presenting their arguments on the legal consequences of Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip since 1967.

Speaking on the fourth day of hearings on Thursday Feb. 22, China’s Foreign Ministry’s legal adviser Ma Xinmin said that the struggle, including armed struggle, against colonialism, occupation, aggression and domination by foreign forces, is not considered terrorist acts under international law.

He said in fighting against Israel’s oppression, Palestinians are essentially just acting to restore their legitimate right to establish an independent state.

Ma said the use of force to resist foreign oppression and to establish an independent right is “an inalienable right well founded in international law”.

He cited examples of peoples who freed themselves from colonial rule and foreign oppression after World War II and numerous UN General Assembly resolutions that recognize the legitimacy of struggling “by all available means, including armed struggles”.

Ma stressed that armed struggle in this context is distinguished from acts of genuine terrorism.

In his speech, he also countered arguments made by the US a day earlier to defend Israel’s unlawful occupation.

The US had said that Israel should not unconditionally withdraw from the Palestinian territories it occupies without security guarantees.

Ma urged the court to deny that justice for Palestinians is not denied.

“Justice has been long delayed, but it must not be denied,” he said.

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