The International Court of Justice is expected to release its opinion on the legality of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories this Friday. This marks the first time the court has taken a stance on this long-debated issue. The court's advisory opinions, though not binding, hold significant legal weight. The upcoming session is drawing increased attention due to the ongoing war in Gaza and a separate genocide case brought by South Africa against Israel. The court previously ordered Israel to restrain its attacks in Gaza and to immediately halt its military offensive in the city of Rafah. The U.N. General Assembly requested the court's opinion on the legal consequences of Israel's occupation, settlement, and annexation of the territories since 1967. Israel did not attend the court session but submitted a rejection of the proceedings as biased. Representatives from over 50 countries addressed the hearings, with most siding with the Palestinian representatives. However, some traditional allies of Israel, including the United States, Britain, and Hungary, supported Israel. The opinion is expected to focus on Israel's settlement policy in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, including the expansion of settlements and the government's tolerance of violent land grabs by settlers. This issue has been exacerbated by the Netanyahu government's expansion of the settlement program and plans for thousands of new housing units. Over 400,000 Israelis have settled in the West Bank since 1967.