Iraq welcomed the opinion of the International Court of Justice, which responded to the request of the United Nations General Assembly regarding a statement of advisory opinion on the practices of the 'Israeli entity' that affect the human rights of the Palestinian people. Iraq stressed the importance of respecting the historic decision issued by the court and accepting the legal elements contained therein in order to enhance efforts aimed at restoring stability to the Palestinian territories and the Middle East region. The International Court of Justice, the highest judicial body of the United Nations, confirmed that the decades-long Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories is 'illegal' and must end 'as soon as possible.' Judge Nawaf Salam, who presides over the International Court of Justice, said: 'The court concluded that the continued Israeli presence in the Palestinian territories is illegal' and that Israel must end the occupation as soon as possible. Source: National Iraqi News Agency